Brianna Janel, a TikToker, was found trapped inside her Tesla Model 3 while she had been getting an automatic update on an infernally hot day in summer as mentioned by her via the social media platform. In the viral TikTok video, Janel, with the handle of Brianna Janel, revealed that she anticipated it to take no more than twenty-four minutes and wanted to spend this time finishing up some work and waiting for her Chick-fil-A order. Once she disconnected from her call and tried to unlock her car’s doors manually through the app, she discovered that they were unresponsive because the battery voltage levels were very low. Janel posted several videos, which quickly became popular with views in millions, where she showed her disappointment about being unable to open the doors or windows while the update was in progress because she believed this could harm her car. The distress that she felt from staying stuck in those hot conditions made her feel as if she was ‘roasting like a damn chicken’.
Because several safety mechanisms are disabled during the software update process, Janel’s situation raises questions regarding the security of Tesla’s software updates. The user manual for Tesla cautions against opening the windows or doors while the car is being updated due to possible damage. Technically speaking, this precaution made sense, but Janel felt confined and uneasy about her safety.
Viewers’ reactions to the incident were divided; some said Janel should have utilized the emergency manual release, while others chastised Tesla for what they saw as a serious safety defect. Janel, who has owned a Tesla for six years, says she is still in love with it despite the experience, pointing out that she updated the vehicle while it was still inside.
Janel’s story is still making the rounds on the internet, and it should serve as a warning to Tesla owners about the potential effects of software updates on the performance and safety of their vehicles.