‘Faulty’ $45k Tesla traps toddler in boiling hot car
Topics: Cars, Technology, Tesla, US News, Electric Cars
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images/On Your Side/Arizona's Family/3TV/CBS 5
Topics: Cars, Technology, Tesla, US News, Electric Cars
Emergency services were forced to use an axe to rescue a trapped child from a Tesla after the vehicle’s battery died.
Renee Sanchez, from Scottsdale, Arizona, had planned a day at Phoenix Zoo with her 20-month-old granddaughter.
Before setting off in her Tesla, the grandmother took safety precautions and strapped the young girl into a car seat.
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After closing the passenger door on the child, Sanchez moved around to the front of the car and tried to get into the driver’s seat.
However, she recounted to On Your Side that she was unable to open the driver’s door and quickly realized that the toddler was trapped inside on a hot day.
“I closed the door, went around the car to get in the front seat and my car wad dead,” she told the outlet. “I could not get in, my phone key wouldn’t open it, my car key wouldn’t open it.”
Realizing her vehicle's battery was flat, Sanchez elected to call emergency services and Scottsdale firefighters were deployed to the scene.
But when they arrived at the grandmother’s residence, they allegedly expressed their dismay over the car being a Tesla.
“I said, I don’t care if you have to cut my car in half just get her out,” the woman explained.
It’s reported that the firefighters covered one of the electric vehicle’s windows with tape before smashing it with an axe.
Meanwhile, Sanchez’s granddaughter became ‘upset’ due to the commotion going on outside the vehicle.
Thankfully though the firefighter’s efforts were successful and the child was pulled to safety - later being given a hard hat to mark her bravery.
Following the incident, the US resident told On Your Side that she was ‘angry’ and was having thoughts about how bad the situation really could’ve been.
"That’s the thing - when that battery goes you’re dead in the water," she said.
Sanchez continued: “They need to educate the first responders because they had no idea.
“None. They were as much in the dark as I was.”
Furthermore, Sanchez has called out Tesla and has asked the company to come up with a simple solution for opening your car door when the 12-volt battery is dead.
She added: “I give Tesla props; when it works, it’s great. But when it doesn’t, it can be deadly.”
It’s said that when vehicle batteries are near depletion, Tesla owners should be informed via three separate warnings.
However, the outlet says the Tesla Service Department reported a bug in the system and confirmed that Sanchez hadn’t received any of the low battery flags she was supposed to.
According to the Tesla Owners Manual, drivers stuck inside a vehicle when it’s locked can access a manual release latch that’s found in the front of the window switches.
Unfortunately, if you find yourself in Sanchez’s situation, the process of opening car doors is much more time-consuming, as per the news outlet.
Tesla Roadside Assistance is available for users to access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the duration of your warranty period.
The Owners Manual claims Tesla Roadside Assistance is also available to speak with roadside service professionals to answer any questions.
UNILAD has contacted Tesla for further comment.