Federal Agency Opens Investigation Into Tesla Remote Driving Function

A sign bearing the Tesla company logo is displayed outside a Tesla store in Cherry Creek Mall in Denver on Feb. 9, 2019. David Zalubowski/AP Photo

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that it is investigating a Tesla vehicle feature that allows drivers to move their cars remotely from a phone app. The investigation affects 2.6 million Tesla vehicles.

According to an NHTSA report, drivers can use the Actually Smart Summon feature on some Tesla vehicles to have the car come to them or go to another location.

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a complaint alleging a crash resulting from someone using the feature. In addition, three media reports described crashes potentially caused by remote driving.

“All four incidents involve the subject Tesla vehicles operating in Actually Smart Summon failing to detect posts or parked vehicles, resulting in a crash,” the NHTSA said.

Actually Smart Summon replaced the former Tesla remote app called Smart Summon. The newer app widens the range of operation while providing more features such as a live camera feed “and increased user latency experience.”

The ODI received 12 complaints in connection with the former Smart Summon app.

“ODI is aware of multiple crash allegations, involving both Smart Summon and Actually Smart Summon, where the user had too little reaction time to avoid a crash, either with the available line of sight or releasing the phone app button, which stops the vehicle’s movement,” the NHTSA said.

Tesla didn’t respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment by publication.

In October, the NHTSA opened an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with the Full Self-Driving feature that was linked to four collisions and a fatal crash in 2023.

The ODI said vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving crashed after “entering an area of reduced roadway visibility conditions” caused by “sun glare, fog, or airborne dust.”

“In one of the crashes, the Tesla vehicle fatally struck a pedestrian,” the ODI said. “One additional crash in these conditions involved a reported injury.”

In December 2024, the NHTSA proposed a voluntary federal oversight program for companies that make vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS) called the Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program, or AV STEP.

“AV STEP would provide a valuable national framework at a pivotal time in the development of ADS technology,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Adam Raviv. “Safe, transparent, and responsible development is critical for this technology to be trusted by the public and reach its full potential. This proposal lays the foundation for those goals and supports HNTSA’s safety mission.”