Following allegations of crashes involving the use of company technology that enables drivers to remotely instruct their vehicle to return to them or go to another location using a phone app, U.S. regulators have initiated an investigation into 2.6 million Teslas.
Additionally, on Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that none of the accidents were reported by Tesla. Tesla is required to disclose collisions involving cars driven by its autonomous driving technology on “publicly accessible roads”.
The latest inquiry comes after another one that was started in October to examine the company’s “Full Self-Driving” system after it received reports of incidents in low visibility, including one that claimed a pedestrian’s life. The 2.4 million Teslas from the 2016–2024 model years are included in that study.
The Associated Press asked Tesla for comment on Tuesday, but Tesla did not reply.
According to the NHTSA, three more comparable instances are being investigated based on media reports, and one motorist who was utilizing Tesla’s “Actually Smart Summon” system filed a complaint following a collision. The agency is investigating a total of 12 occurrences that users of the device have reported.
The NHTSA claims that none of the cars were able to identify poles or other parked cars.
Because the users 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,” regulators claim that the vehicles collided with things.
Late Tuesday afternoon trading saw a more than 4% decline in shares of Austin, Texas-based Tesla Inc.
Musk has argued that the development of self-driving cars is being hampered by too onerous U.S. rules. Ethics experts fear Musk may pressure President-elect Donald Trump to relax monitoring of Tesla, which recently saw its first annual sales decrease in over a decade.
Musk is a regular visitor to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, where he meets with foreign heads of state and screens potential cabinet members. Musk also gave an estimated $250 million to Trump’s presidential campaign. Musk is in head of the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory body appointed by Trump that will make recommendations about where to decrease government spending, staff federal departments, and loosen regulations.
The NHTSA announced on Tuesday that it will investigate line-of-sight standards, public road limits, and the maximum speed that Teslas can achieve when owners activate its “summons” system. Additionally, it stated that it anticipates checking the app for any “connectivity delays” that would cause a longer stopping distance.
According to Tesla’s Model 3 owner’s manual, the “summons” feature is deactivated on public roads and is only intended for usage in driveways and parking lots on private land.
The 2016–2025 Model S and X, 2017–2025 Model 3, and 2020–2025 Model Y with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving driver assistance system are all covered by the new inquiry.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.