Tesla Owner Unlocked And Drove Away Wrong Car

A recent incident involving a Tesla in which the wrong driver was able to unlock the vehicle is making the rounds on the internet, leaving owners anxious about the level of protection that their vehicles provide.

The efficiency of Tesla’s electronic systems, particularly in terms of security and resistance to assaults from malicious software, is now being called into doubt by a significant number of people.

This is just one of the countless incidents that have been recorded over the last several years, in which individuals have been able to unlock Teslas in simple ways by sidestepping the locking mechanism using low-cost equipment.

The Vancouver Incident

The incident occurred in Vancouver, Canada when a driver opened the door of a Tesla Model 3 that looked like his own. Rajesh Randev not only got into a foreign Tesla but also drove it for a while before he realized he was in the wrong car. Randev said he was in a hurry to pick up his kids from school and didn’t notice that he used the app on his phone to open the door to the wrong car.

Randev realized at some point that he was in the wrong car, so he turned around and went back. In the meantime, the Tesla’s real owner found Randev’s phone number and called him to ask him to bring back his car. The two drivers were finally able to get out of this situation, which may seem funny but is actually very dangerous.

Randev said, “We were both laughing and I called the police as well.” He continued, “The police said they have my statement but they cannot give me a file number because nothing happened.”

Concerns Over Tesla Security

There have been previous concerns raised over the safety of Tesla’s electronic systems and their ability to resist attacks by malicious software. The company has been cautioned by industry professionals to enhance the interface protocols that exist between mobile devices and automobiles in order to guarantee the well-being of its customers.

Since there are already so many Teslas on the road,  and because there are so few color and wheel options to differentiate them, an electric vehicle such as the Model 3 is a great candidate for being confused with another vehicle.

Tesla Model 3 unlocked and driven by the wrong owner Chris Teague #automotive #4vto @_4VTO_ pic.twitter.com/fwmX3f0rgY

— 4vto (@_4VTO_) March 13, 2023

The event that took place in Vancouver brings to light a weakness in Tesla’s security procedures as well as the need to develop electronic systems that are both more reliable and secure in order to protect the safety of Tesla’s customers.

Response from Tesla

After discovering the issue, Randev says he contacted Tesla to inform them, but has yet to get a response. Concerns have also been raised over Tesla’s customer assistance and how well the company responds to issues raised by its users.

Although the press office of Tesla has not yet responded to inquiries about the event, many people are left wondering whether or not the company is treating the matter seriously. We don’t know yet what action Tesla will take to address the safety issues that have been brought to light as a result of this incident.