The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon feature after multiple reports of crashes involving the system.
The feature, available on Tesla’s Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles from 2016 to 2025 equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, allows users to control their car remotely using a smartphone app. Drivers can move the car toward them or to a specific location without being inside the vehicle.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 16 incidents, including one reported by a Tesla owner and others highlighted in media reports. These crashes occurred when the system failed to detect obstacles like posts or parked cars. In some cases, drivers reportedly had too little time to stop the car using the app before the collision.
When people are using Actually Smart Summon, they are told to only use the feature in a safe situation.
NHTSA’s investigation will focus on several aspects of the feature, including:
Tesla has not reported any of these crashes to NHTSA as required under safety rules for vehicles with automated systems.
This preliminary evaluation will help determine whether further action is needed, such as a recall or software update, to address safety concerns.
