Washington, D.C. – January 23, 2025 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) over allegations of vehicles colliding with various objects while in the self-driving mode.
The investigation could lead to a recall of roughly 2.6 million electric vehicles.
The following models would be affected:
- 2017 – 2025 Model 3
- 2016 – 2025 Model S
- 2016 – 2025 Model X
- 2020 – 2025 Model Y
Investigation summary
The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened a preliminary investigation on January 6, 2025. The investigation came on the heels of 16 complaints of Teslas crashing into surrounding cars and property while maneuvering out of parking lots on their own thanks to the so-called smart summon feature.
The smart summon feature
Smart summon allow drivers to summon the car to their desired location. It is not designed for use on public roads.
Investigation purpose
The investigation aims to gauge whether Tesla’s self-maneuvering mechanism can reliably detect obstacles it may encounter and if there are any “app connectivity delays” that may be causing “increased stopping distances.”
‘’It was a big pole’’
Drivers reported that their vehicles have crashed into walls as well as other cars, including at least one with a “passenger inside.” In one accident, the vehicle failed to avoid a “big pole,” leaving the driver convinced that there was something wrong with the “camera system, sensor or… the hardware.”
Dealers in some cases blamed the defect on the smart summon still being in beta, despite it being around since 2016. The costs of the repair were thus not covered by the warranty, causing a “perplexing and disheartening” situation for the driver who had to pay $8,000 out of pocket.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported. However, at least in one case, the Tesla and the vehicle it hit both sustained “significant damage.”
Other Tesla recalls
Close to 2 million Tesla EVs were affected by a recall from August 2024 caused by fly-away hoods, as reported.
Tesla is currently being investigated by the U.S. government over a suspected fault with another self-driving feature, which led to a fatal crash.
Is your vehicle part of a recall?
This investigation could lead to a Tesla smart summon recall, potentially affecting nearly 2.6 million electric vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check and see if your vehicle might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
