Tesla's stock is navigating a landscape of conflicting analyst views, primarily due to recent incidents involving its "Robotaxi" fleet. Five new collisions in late 2025 and early 2026 have pushed the total number of reported incidents to 14 within a seven-month period. Despite these setbacks, the company remains focused on expanding its autonomous ride-hailing services, aiming to launch in several new U.S. metropolitan areas. This ambitious expansion, coupled with the safety concerns, creates a complex scenario for investors and analysts alike, leading to a divergence in market sentiment regarding Tesla's future trajectory and its valuation.
Tesla's Robotaxi Fleet Faces Scrutiny Amidst Rising Incidents
Tesla (TSLA) is currently at the center of a divided analyst community, primarily influenced by recent reports of additional collisions involving its "Robotaxi" fleet. These incidents, occurring in December 2025 and January 2026, have added five more cases to the growing list, bringing the total number of reported crashes since June 2025 to 14. This increase in accidents raises significant concerns about the safety and reliability of Tesla's autonomous driving technology, particularly as the company plans to rapidly expand its ride-hailing operations into seven additional U.S. metropolitan areas by the first half of 2026.
The increase in collision reports for Tesla's "Robotaxi" fleet has introduced a layer of complexity to the company's market outlook. With a total of 14 incidents reported to the NHTSA since June 2025, the scrutiny on the safety and efficacy of its autonomous driving technology has intensified. This situation creates a challenging environment for Tesla, as it aims to scale its ride-hailing services across multiple U.S. cities. The company must now navigate the dual pressures of technological advancement and public safety concerns, potentially impacting consumer trust and regulatory oversight of its autonomous vehicles.
Analyst Opinions Split on Tesla's Future Amidst Safety Concerns
The latest developments have led to a noticeable split in analyst sentiment regarding Tesla's (TSLA) stock performance. While a significant portion of analysts, specifically 42% of 54 experts covering the stock, maintain a 'Buy' rating with an optimistic one-year median price target of $480, implying a 17% upside, a contrasting view is held by others. Notably, Gordon Johnson of GLJ Research has reiterated a 'Sell' rating with a significantly lower price target of $25.28, reflecting deep concerns over the company's trajectory and valuation. This divergence underscores the ongoing debate within the financial community about Tesla's ability to overcome challenges posed by its autonomous driving incidents and successfully execute its ambitious expansion plans.
This divided analyst sentiment highlights the profound impact that the "Robotaxi" collisions are having on investment perspectives for Tesla. On one hand, the bullish outlook is likely fueled by the company's innovative leadership in electric vehicles, battery technology, and artificial intelligence, coupled with its aggressive growth strategies. These analysts might view the recent incidents as temporary setbacks in the long-term development of groundbreaking technology. Conversely, the bearish stance, exemplified by GLJ Research's 'Sell' rating, suggests that for some, the increasing number of safety incidents casts a long shadow over Tesla's technological prowess and its ability to deliver on its autonomous driving promises without significant hurdles. This dichotomy reflects the high stakes involved in Tesla's ventures into full autonomy and the varying interpretations of its near-term risks versus long-term potential.