Consumer Reports calls Tesla Summon a ‘glitchy’ ‘science experiment’

Tesla’s Smart Summon automated parking system is “glitchy” and only works intermittently, influential U.S. magazine Consumer Reports says, adding to recent questions about the app-based feature.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last week it was looking into parking lot crashes of Tesla Model 3s trying to drive to owners under the Smart Summon feature.

Several users have posted videos on social media of Tesla vehicles that appear to have been in near accidents. One posted a video of a Tesla striking a garage wall and another of a Tesla being struck by a vehicle backing up.

“Consumers are not getting fully tested, consumer-ready technology,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at the magazine, in a report on Tuesday.

“What consumers are really getting is the chance to participate in a kind of science experiment.”

A Tesla software update last month added the Smart Summon feature for some customers. When the car is within 200 feet and in their line of sight, they use a phone app to summon the vehicle in a parking lot.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.