Why safety regulators closed their investigation into Tesla’s remote parking feature
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THIS WEEK ONLY: Save close to $500 on your Disrupt pass. Offer ends April 10, 11:59 p.m. PT. Register here. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW . Posted: Kirsten Korosec Why safety regulators closed their investigation into Tesla’s remote parking feature U.S. auto safety regulators closed its investigation into Tesla’s remote parking feature, known as “Actually Smart Summon,” after finding crashes were rare, at low speed, and not severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in its update on Friday that its closing of the investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety-related defect does not exist and said it can reopen it. The remote parking feature, which was released via a software update in September 2024, allows owners to use their Tesla app to direct the vehicle to drive itself to them at low speeds, using only the car’s cameras. The release was notable at the time because the previous version, Smart Summon, also used ultrasonic sensors, which are no longer on newer Tesla vehicles. The NHTSA opened the investigation in January 2025 after reports of dozens of crashes involving the “Actually Smart Summon” feature. The investigation found that out of millions of Summon sessions, a fraction of 1% resulted in an incident, which typically involved minor property damage like hitting gates, parked cars, or bollards. There were also “no reported incidents involving a vulnerable road user, injury, fatality, or major property damage as indicated by an air bag deployment or vehicle tow away,” according to the report. The NHTSA found that either the person or the system using the app failed to fully detect surroundings, often due to limited visibility in the app’s camera view. Some incidents were caused by snow obstructing the camera, which the system failed to detect. Tesla has issued a number of software updates to improve camera blockage detection and object recognition, according to the NHTSA. Topics StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . Related Transportation TechCrunch Mobility: ‘A stunning lack of transparency’ Kirsten Korosec 2 days ago Kirsten Korosec Latest in Transportation In Brief Gas prices aren’t the only factor fueling used EV sales Kirsten Korosec 9 hours ago Kirsten Korosec In Brief Why safety regulators closed their investigation into Tesla’s remote parking feature Kirsten Korosec 12 hours ago Kirsten Korosec TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Ticket savings of up to $500 this week for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 TechCrunch Events 16 hours ago TechCrunch Events