Tesla Owner Abandons Model 3 After Highway Breakdown

A Tesla Model 3 owner has vowed to cease driving his electric vehicle (EV) after it unexpectedly came to a halt in the middle of a highway. The incident has reignited concerns over safety and reliability within the EV industry.

Tesla Model 3 Breakdown on Highway:

James Hanna, the Tesla owner in question, recounted the harrowing experience when his Model 3 abruptly stopped functioning while cruising down a North Carolina interstate. According to Hanna, the vehicle came to a complete standstill without any prior warning, leaving him unable to maneuver the car or engage any controls.

In a complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hanna described the terrifying moment when his entire car locked up, rendering him immobile on the busy highway. Despite frantic attempts to restart the vehicle or activate hazard lights, the Tesla remained unresponsive, prompting concerns for his safety and that of other motorists.

Service Center Diagnosis:

Following the ordeal, Hanna sought assistance from a Tesla service center, where technicians identified a connector issue with the battery as the root cause of the malfunction. According to Tesla's analysis, several controllers reported a missing right body controller, leading to a disruption in power supply to vital vehicle components, resulting in the sudden shutdown.

Screenshots of communications between Hanna and the Tesla service center revealed that the problematic part was promptly replaced under warranty, and the vehicle underwent necessary repairs. Despite the resolution, Hanna expressed lingering apprehensions about the car's reliability and safety.

Safety Concerns:

The distressing incident left Hanna shaken, prompting him to reassess his trust in the Model 3's performance. Expressing fears for his son's safety, he made the decision to discontinue driving the vehicle altogether, opting to lease it out instead.

Tesla's response to the incident remains unclear, as the company did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. However, this episode has raised broader questions about the reliability of EVs and the measures in place to address potential safety concerns.

Industry Scrutiny:

While instances of EVs halting unexpectedly are rare, Hanna's experience is not an isolated incident. Local news reports have uncovered multiple similar complaints from Tesla owners, suggesting a potential pattern of issues with the vehicles.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous testing and quality control measures within the EV industry to ensure the safety and satisfaction of consumers.

Also Read: Tesla Recalls Over 120,000 Vehicles in the U.S. Due to Safety Concerns