Tata Harrier Summon Mode claimed to cause fatal accident, carmaker responds

A video has gone viral on social media showing a Tata Harrier EV rolling down a slope at the entrance of a house in Tamil Nadu's Avinashi and trapping a man underneath. According to a post on Reddit, the man suffered a serious injury and later died.

The post, apparently made by a relative of the man who died, also claims that it was the Harrier's Summon Mode -- a feature that allows drivers to move the car forward and back just via the vehicle's key -- was the cause of the accident.

In a statement, Tata Motors indicated disagreement with the allegation, saying that initial impressions from the video did not suggest that the car's motor was engaged.

The horrific accident was captured on a CCTV camera with the video showing the Harrier EV rolling down an incline with the driver’s side door open, even before the driver could step inside.

The footage, dated August 14, 2025, at around 5:53 pm, records the vehicle sliding backwards and leading to the fatal accident. In the Reddit post, the man's relative claimed, "Brand new Tata Harrier EV summon mode malfunction led to my relative's death (Head injury) - Legal action yet to be taken."

The Tata Harrier EV was launched in India on June 3, 2025. As per Tata Motors’s website, the Harrier.ev’s Summon Mode “enables you to remotely summon Harrier.ev in forward or reverse direction, perfect for tight spaces.”

The feature is part of the SUV’s advanced convenience suite, allowing drivers to manoeuvre the vehicle in and out of confined spots without being inside.

Responding to the Tamil Nadu accident, Tata Motors said, "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 company said.

- Ends