Tesla's Smart Summon Under NHTSA's Microscope
The investigation into Tesla's "Smart Summon" feature, specifically the updated "Actually Smart Summon" (ASS), has been initiated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here's a summary of the key points based on available information:
Nature of Investigation: NHTSA opened a probe into approximately 2.6 million Tesla vehicles in the United States due to reports of crashes involving the "Actually Smart Summon" feature. This investigation was announced in early January 2025.
Reasons for Investigation: The crashes reported involved Tesla vehicles failing to detect posts or parked vehicles, leading to collisions when the Actually Smart Summon feature was active. The NHTSA noted that in some instances, drivers had little to no reaction time to avoid a crash due to issues with line of sight or delays in releasing the control button on the Tesla smartphone app.
Scope of Vehicles: The investigation covers Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles from 2016 through 2025 equipped with the "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) system, which includes the Smart Summon and Actually Smart Summon features.
Feature Description: Actually Smart Summon allows Tesla owners to remotely move their vehicle to a location using the Tesla app, with the vehicle navigating autonomously in parking lots. It's an enhancement over the original Smart Summon, using only camera-based vision systems rather than a combination of sensors.
Preliminary Evaluation: NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received one formal complaint alongside three media reports about similar incidents. The agency is also looking into 12 other incidents related to the older Smart Summon feature. The investigation aims to assess the feature's maximum speed, its use on public roads, line of sight requirements, and potential connectivity delays with the app.
Public and Regulatory Response: There's been considerable discussion on social media platforms like X, where posts highlight the NHTSA's actions and question the safety implications for Tesla's stock and brand. There are also mentions of Elon Musk and the Tesla team actively investigating the issues, but no detailed outcomes or defensive measures from Tesla have been publicly disclosed as part of this investigation.
Broader Context: This investigation adds to ongoing scrutiny of Tesla's autonomous driving technologies, with previous investigations focusing on other aspects like the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems.
Screenshot of Tesla app, summon feature.
The investigation is still in its preliminary stages, with NHTSA planning to evaluate whether further action like an engineering analysis or a potential recall might be necessary based on their findings.
This information is collated from various news sources and posts on X, indicating a significant regulatory focus on Tesla's advanced driving features.
