AI illustration: Tesla finds a parking spot and reads the signs by 2019
TeslaSelf-Driving
Missed

Tesla auto park: Elon's find-a-spot promise for 2019, missed

Elon Musk promised A Tesla finds a parking spot and reads the signs by 2019 by the end of 2019. The deadline passed and it didn't happen.

First Tesla? Our referral includes 3 months of FSD (Supervised) for first-time buyers.Get a Tesla →
Get an email when this verdict changes. The Daily Verdict covers every change on the board, this one included, and only goes out on days something happens.
“By next year, a Tesla should be able to drive around a parking lot, find an empty spot, read signs to confirm it’s valid & park.”
— Elon Musk · Oct 31, 2018 · @elonmusk on X, Oct 31 2018 ↗
See his original post on XLoads Elon's actual tweet, right here.
Show ▾
What actually happened

Musk said in October 2018 that by 2019 a Tesla would circle a lot, find an empty spot, read signs and park itself. What shipped in 2019 was Smart Summon, which drives to the owner; it does not hunt for a valid spot or read parking signs. TechCrunch Sep 26 2019 — V10 Smart Summon ↗

The Progression

Oct 31, 2018
The promise: “By next year, a Tesla should be able to drive around a parking lot, find an empty spot, read signs to confirm it’s valid & park.” · @elonmusk on X, Oct 31 2018 ↗
Dec 31, 2019
Deadline passed. Musk said in October 2018 that by 2019 a Tesla would circle a lot, find an empty spot, read signs and park itself. What shipped in 2019 was Smart Summon, which drives to the owner; it does not hunt for a valid spot or read parking signs. TechCrunch Sep 26 2019 — V10 Smart Summon ↗
Today · Oct 12, 2026
Status: Missed · 2,477 days past due. Never happened.

In October 2018 Elon Musk said that by 2019 a Tesla would drive around a parking lot, find an empty spot, read the signs to check it was legal, and park. Tesla's 2019 software brought Smart Summon instead, which comes to you rather than finding a space.

Win the argument. Share the receipt.
The post comes pre-loaded with his quote, the clock, and the share card — one tap and it's settled.
Post the receipt

Receipts

LAST CHECKED 2026-10-11

Tesla’s record

Delivered
70
53% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
63
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
37
On the clock now. All 170 Tesla claims →

Read next

Also Tesla, resolves soonest
Also Tesla, resolves soonest
Also Tesla, resolves soonest

Discussion

Loading…
← Summon your Tesla from across the country in ~2 years Advanced Summon ready in ~6 weeks (Nov 2018) →
/// The Daily Verdict
Know the moment a prediction lands — or doesn't.
One email a day, only when something changes: a new promise, a blown deadline, a goalpost move, or a rare on-time delivery. No spam, instant unsubscribe.