Probe into Tesla system

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a probe into 2.6 million Teslas in the US over reports of accidents involving a feature that allows users to move their vehicles remotely.

The investigation comes after the agency opened an investigation in in October 2024 into 2.4 million cars made by the marque that are equipped with full self-driving (FSD) software after four reported collisions, including a fatal 2023 crash.

The NHTSA opened its preliminary evaluation into Tesla's “actually smart summon” (ASS) in January over reports of four crashes involving the company’s vehicles.

They failed to detect posts, or parked vehicles, when they were operating on ASS, reports the NHTSA. 

It adds it has received reports of users having “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”.

ASS was launched in September 2024 and allows users to remotely move their car towards them or another location using a smartphone app. Its predecessor allowed users to move their vehicle forward or backward into or out of a parking spot.

The NHTSA is now evaluating into the feature. It will then have to decide whether to update that to an engineering analysis before it could seek to require a recall.

The agency is assessing ASS’ maximum speed, use on public roads and line-of-sight requirements. The probe will also cover remote control through the app, the impact of connectivity delays and the system’s performance in unanticipated conditions.

The probe covers the 2016-25 Model S and X, 2017-25 Model 3 and 2020-25 Model Y with the optional full self-driving driver-assistance system, reports Reuters.