A tragic incident has been reported from Avinashi, Tamil Nadu, where a brand-new Tata Harrier EV allegedly malfunctioned while operating in “summon mode,” resulting in the death of a user’s relative.
According to a post shared by a Reddit user earlier today, the victim sustained a severe head injury during the mishap and later succumbed. The incident, captured on video, shows the SUV in motion under summon mode — a feature that allows the vehicle to move autonomously at low speeds without direct driver input.
Fatal Accident Reported Involving Tata Harrier EV Summon Mode in Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/ETgWyoz8GF
— RushLane (@rushlane) August 20, 2025
According to a Reddit post, the incident occurred when the vehicle’s summon mode was either activated accidentally or malfunctioned. The car reportedly began moving while the driver’s side door was open. In an attempt to stop the moving SUV, the man tried to apply the brakes, but slipped and fell, sustaining a head injury. He was declared brain dead by doctors shortly after.
The CCTV time and date stamp is 14th August 2025, evening around 5:53 PM. The circumstances that led to the accident remain unclear, and it is not yet verified whether the malfunction was due to a technical fault, user error, or external factors.
Family members are still in shock and have not initiated legal proceedings against Tata Motors. The Redditor further claimed that the deceased had already faced a software-related issue with the Harrier EV prior to the accident. On one occasion, the car reportedly shut down on the road and failed to restart until technicians from the dealership intervened. Authorities in Avinashi are yet to confirm details about the case or whether an investigation has been initiated.
Tata Motors has reached out to clarify that the Harrier EV involved in the reported incident remains with the family, and not with the company. Below is the official statement from the company.
Update 21st Aug – Tata Motors Statement
“We were informed of the tragic accident and are deeply saddened by the loss. Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt support are with the deceased’s family. We are currently gathering all relevant facts. Preliminary observations from video shared online/ on social media suggests that the vehicle may have rolled back from the top of a slope due to gravity and ricocheted after striking an unknown object, suggesting that the motor was not engaged. The vehicle remains with the family and has been driven since the incident, and we have not yet had the opportunity to inspect it.”
The Harrier EV, which was launched a few weeks ago, is among the company’s most advanced electric SUVs, equipped with modern driver-assist and convenience features, including summon functionality. The reported death has sparked concern and debate online about the safety of semi-autonomous features in vehicles operating in Indian conditions. Road safety experts stress that while advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and summon functions are designed for convenience, they must always be used with caution, and users should remain vigilant.
Source
Source: Electric - rushlane.com
