NHTSA opens probe into Comma.AI Comma 3X and 2 other models: Crashes involving comma.ai driving automation products
On September 21, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE26007) into Comma.AI Comma 3X and 2 other models. A Preliminary Evaluation is the first formal stage of an NHTSA defect investigation: ODI gathers information from the manufacturer and from owner reports to decide whether to close the case or take it further. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- PE26007 (Preliminary Evaluation)
- Status
- Open
- Listed
- 3 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Comma.AI |
|---|---|
| Models | Comma 3X, Comma Four, Comma Three |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
The Office of Defects Investigation ("ODI") has identified crashes involving vehicles equipped with devices manufactured by comma.ai (“comma”) occurring under similar circumstances. ODI received notice of five (5) crashes in which vehicles with comma devices installed reportedly struck stopped or slowly moving vehicles within the same travel lane. ODI has confirmed that the systems were powered on or engaged in multiple crashes. Preliminary data reviewed by ODI suggests that the comma system may not have adequately detected or responded to the in-lane vehicles. Two crashes resulted in a total of three (3) fatalities. Four of the five crashes contributed to various non-fatal injuries, including serious injuries, to eleven (11) other individuals. The comma devices are after-market accessory systems intended to augment a vehicle’s driving automation capabilities. The devices are sold with wire harnesses that connect to existing vehicle systems and use the device’s cameras alongside stock vehicle sensors as a basis to provide sustained automated control of speed and vehicle heading with options for other enhanced features enabled by software loaded onto the devices. The devices are sold directly to consumers, and the company’s provided setup instructions are intended for consumer installation. The company advertises on its website that, with its “step-by-step guide,” a consumer can “[g]et set up in your car in 15 minutes.” According to the website, the devices provide “hands free driving for the car you already have,” and the software (openpilot) that comma develops to operate on the devices is described as “an open source advanced driver assistance system that works on 325+ car models” and “[c]an drive for hours without intervention.” The company’s website states that “openpilot requires the driver to be alert, pay attention, and be ready to take over at all times.” ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate further any incidents involving the comma devices and openpilot, particularly crashes involving slower or stopped vehicles or hazards in lane. The investigation will obtain data to verify system status for each incident and evaluate system performance and safeguards that are intended to ensure safe operation of vehicles equipped with comma devices. Additionally, to the extent that modified software based on openpilot (i.e., a “fork”) is involved in a crash or other incident, ODI will evaluate the incident and consider the shared components between openpilot and the fork. The SGO incidents cited in the Opening Resume are listed below by report ID and are available for download at NHTSA.gov/laws-regulations/standing-general-order-crash-reporting 30351-15888 30351-14668 30351-11961 30351-1807 62-14853
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for PE26007, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
Timeline
- ODI opens preliminary evaluation PE26007
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search PE26007 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.