Newly released NHTSA data reveals at least two Tesla robotaxi crashes since July 2025 occurred while vehicles were being remotely driven by teleoperators. Both incidents happened in Austin, Texas, where Tesla launched its robotaxi service in June 2025, with a safety monitor behind the wheel and no passengers onboard.

In a July 2025 crash, a remote operator took control after a safety monitor requested assistance, then increased the vehicle's speed and drove it up a curb into a metal fence. Another incident in January 2026 involved a remote operator striking a temporary construction barricade at approximately 9MPH. Tesla told lawmakers in March 2025 that it allows remote operators to directly drive its robotaxis—a practice that differs from competitors like Waymo, whose remote workers typically consult with driving software rather than control vehicles.

The service has faced additional issues, including robotaxis clipping mirrors on other vehicles and an incident where a robotaxi struck a dog that survived. Beyond safety concerns, the operation is struggling with significant delays: reporters documented nearly two-hour wait times for trips that should take 20 minutes, with vehicles sometimes dropping passengers 15 minutes from their destinations. While Waymo faces similar challenges, Tesla appears to have substantial work ahead before reaching competitive scale.