Mario Zelaya, a Tesla owner from Canada, encountered a frustrating situation that rapidly drew the interest of millions across social media platforms. A seemingly common car problem escalated into an expensive ordeal, igniting extensive conversation and prompting inquiries into Tesla’s service practices and the dependability of their vehicles.
Mario Zelaya invested a significant $140,000 in a Tesla in 2013, anticipating it to be a state-of-the-art electric vehicle. Throughout the years, Tesla has established itself as a leader in innovation; however, Mario’s experience has raised questions about that perception.
In an unexpected turn of events, he found himself locked out of his car, which had automatically secured itself without warning. Initially, this appeared to be a straightforward issue—maybe a crucial concern or a depleted battery.
He had completely drained the battery in his Tesla. Unlike conventional vehicles that allow manual door unlocking, Tesla’s innovative design prevents doors from opening without power.
Locked out of his own car, Mario found himself facing a dilemma—his only option was to replace the battery. Nonetheless, he could not readily accept the cost of that substitute.
Tesla provided a surprising estimate of $26,000 for the battery replacement. “My Tesla died. $26K for a new battery. Locked out of car. Recalls are needed,” Mario explained in a TikTok video, which quickly went viral.
The video attracted a massive audience, prompting numerous Tesla owners to share their own related experiences in the comments. One viewer expressed, “You will never convince me that owning a Tesla that someone else can control is a good idea,” while another remarked, “A mint 2005 Honda Civic would have still been running… just saying.”
Mario faced a problem that went beyond a simple battery failure; it was also associated with a recognized design flaw. The 2013 Tesla model, along with several others from that year and 2014, faced a widespread issue—fluid from the air conditioning system had the potential to leak into the battery, leading to significant damage.
Mario wasn’t alone in this situation; numerous Tesla owners have shared their experiences with comparable problems. Nonetheless, Mario pointed out that Tesla was not tackling the issue.
“Tesla’s trying to sweep it under the rug,” Mario claimed in one of his videos. “They won’t give [owners] any explanation of why their battery died.”
In a troubling turn of events, Mario found himself in a predicament as his proof of ownership papers were secured inside the vehicle. Without the necessary documentation, he was unable to proceed with the vehicle sale.
Ultimately, he had no choice but to shell out another $30 for a duplicate set of the documents in order to proceed. The minor fee, though insignificant next to the $26,000 battery replacement, contributed to the mounting frustration of an already challenging situation.
In recent years, Tesla has faced increasing scrutiny regarding its reputation. Mario’s situation reflects a broader trend, as numerous Tesla owners have expressed their frustrations regarding expensive repair bills, inadequate customer support, and ongoing technical issues that remain unaddressed.
In August 2022, a collective of dissatisfied Tesla owners in Norway took the dramatic step of organizing a hunger strike. They aimed to capture CEO Elon Musk’s interest in order to address grievances that included rust problems and faulty components.
Tesla is currently navigating legal hurdles in Europe. A German court has delivered a ruling unfavorable to the automaker, citing safety issues related to the vehicle’s driver assistance system.
Upon returning to Canada, Mario felt the need to address the issue collaboratively. He contacted Transport Canada, which led to an investigation into his vehicle.
“Not only did they do an investigation on this car, they’re gonna be doing one that Tesla doesn’t realize is coming up,” Mario hinted in one of his videos, suggesting more trouble could be on the horizon for the electric vehicle giant.
In the end, Mario faced a challenging choice and decided to part ways with his Tesla. Following the challenges of a dead battery and lackluster customer support, he was eager to sever ties with both the vehicle and the manufacturer.
He shared his frustration with many others, including fellow Tesla owners who have expressed similar sentiments. A Finnish man gained widespread attention last year after he chose to blow up his Tesla instead of spending $23,000 on a new battery.
In a surprising turn of events, Mario has successfully sold his car. “That’s going to be the end of my Tesla journey,” he said in a follow-up TikTok video.
“It’s out of my life. Maintain your distance from it. His experience stands as a warning for current and potential Tesla owners.
Tesla has led the charge in electric vehicle advancements, yet Mario’s experience highlights the possible challenges associated with emerging technologies. Mario’s time with Tesla has reached its conclusion, yet discussions surrounding the company’s practices and the dependability of their vehicles continue to thrive.
Feature Image credit: (Instagram/ @teslamotors)
