A recent experience with a brand-new Tesla Model Y has left a car owner in shock. The incident occurred when the vehicle unexpectedly shut down, trapping the driver inside and forcing him to rely on emergency procedures to escape. The situation highlights both the conveniences and challenges that can come with owning a high-tech electric car.
A Strange Shutdown During a Routine Drive
Tom Exton, a British YouTuber and car enthusiast, was driving his five-day-old Tesla Model Y on his way to London when the car suddenly instructed him to pull over, claiming it was “shutting down.” He had been driving for just 15 minutes, with the car showing an almost full battery, yet he found himself stranded with no power in the vehicle. “The car’s display showed I still had 216 miles of range left,” Exton explained, but moments later, all power was gone, and he was left unable to open the doors in the usual way.
Trapped Inside, Exton Relies on Emergency Override
With the power completely gone, Exton was unable to open the doors the conventional way, as Teslas require electricity for both locks and windows to function. Following the instructions in the emergency-response guide, he tried to use the manual override latch to open the door. Unfortunately, this effort caused the driver’s window to “somehow break.” Frustrated and stranded, Exton took to social media to share his ordeal, commenting on how unprepared he felt for such a high-tech car to fail so abruptly.
Long Wait for Roadside Assistance
After attempting to resolve the issue on his own, Exton had no choice but to call for roadside assistance. He later tweeted about the frustrating experience, noting that it took over two hours for help to arrive and another four hours before the car was finally towed. Despite the challenges, he praised Tesla’s customer service for being helpful during the situation, offering him a hotel stay for the night.
A Bitter Experience, But a Positive Customer Service Encounter
While Exton was left disappointed by the breakdown and lengthy wait, he acknowledged the positive side of the experience—Tesla’s customer service. They offered to cover his hotel expenses, though he still hadn’t received an update regarding a courtesy car or a timeline for when his Model Y would be repaired. Despite his frustration with the incident, Exton ended his social media post with a suggestion for others to consider alternatives to Tesla, like the Polestar, as he questioned the reliability of the vehicle.
Conclusion
Tom Exton’s unsettling experience with his Tesla Model Y serves as a cautionary tale for anyone relying on modern electric vehicles, particularly with regards to emergency systems and breakdowns. While the customer service he received was appreciated, the unexpected power failure left him with more questions than answers about the reliability of his new car. It also sparked a conversation about the potential drawbacks of owning such high-tech, complex vehicles.
This content has, in part, been generated with the aid of an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.