A recent incident involving a Tesla Model 3 on a North Carolina highway has raised significant safety concerns among drivers. James Hanna, the owner of the vehicle, encountered a distressing situation while on Interstate 277, prompting him to take drastic measures.
Hanna was navigating Interstate 277 to pick up his son from school when his Tesla unexpectedly stopped, leaving him stranded in the middle of the highway. Despite the vehicle being at a 60% charge, Hanna could not restore power, forcing him to seek assistance. Even more alarming was the realization that the car’s battery failure had rendered the doors inoperable, posing a severe safety risk.
Upon inspection by a Tesla service center, it was revealed that multiple controllers reported the absence of a suitable body controller, resulting in a power supply shortage and subsequent shutdown. Despite Tesla covering the towing and repair costs under warranty, Hanna’s inquiry into preventing future occurrences yielded a vague response, leaving him dissatisfied and unwilling to compromise his son’s safety.
The incident instigated panic for Hanna and highlighted broader concerns regarding vehicle safety. Hanna’s decision to escalate the matter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscores the gravity of the situation, especially considering Tesla’s history of safety-related investigations, including issues with Autopilot, steering mechanisms, seat belts, and power steering.
Although Tesla has yet to state Hanna’s ordeal, his decision to cease driving the vehicle speaks volumes about the severity of the incident. Subsequently, Hanna has opted to lease out the car, signaling a loss of trust in Tesla’s ability to address safety concerns effectively.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the importance of proactive safety measures in the automotive industry, particularly in electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies.