The Crashes That Shook Tesla’s Reputation
With each leap forward, there will always be some growing pains. Tesla’s Autopilot promises a future of self-driving convenience, yet these 20 incidents reveal some dangerous flaws lying underneath the surface. From failing to recognize obstacles to deadly collisions, these crashes highlight why drivers must remain alert. Some accidents led to lawsuits, others to fiery explosions—but all raised serious safety concerns.
Moritz Kindler on Unsplash
1. Fatal Collision In China (2016)
Tesla faced one of its first Autopilot fatalities when a Model S crashed into a street-sweeping vehicle. The system failed to spot the obstacle, and the driver—reportedly watching a movie—never reacted. The tragedy sparked global debates about Tesla’s responsibility for Autopilot crashes.
2. Apple Engineer's Tragic Crash (2018)
An Apple engineer died in a fiery wreck after his Tesla Model X crashed into a highway divider. Autopilot had repeatedly warned him to take control, but he never responded. Tesla settled a wrongful death lawsuit after an investigation found its Autopilot mode partially at fault.
3. High-Speed Impact With Truck In California (2018)
For 13 minutes and 48 seconds, Autopilot remained engaged, issuing multiple alerts for the driver to take control. But those warnings went ignored. At 65 mph, the Tesla Model S continued unchecked until it crashed into a parked fire truck. The NTSB later confirmed the system was still active at the moment of impact.
4. Autopilot Fails To Detect Parked Patrol Car (2021)
A sheriff’s parked patrol car became another victim of Tesla’s faulty emergency vehicle detection. The Model S plowed into it with full force despite flashing lights and clear visibility. The driver admitted he was distracted, but Autopilot’s failure made headlines again.
5. Pedestrian Fatality In Brooklyn (2023)
Tragedy struck when a Tesla Model S jumped the curb and crashed into a sidewalk, leading to the death of a pedestrian. The 17-year-old driver claimed Autopilot was in control, but Tesla denied responsibility. As lawsuits accumulated, safety experts emphasized the dangers of semi-autonomous systems in urban environments.
6. Roof Sheared Off In Virginia (2023)
The semi-truck crossing the road became the final obstacle for a Tesla Model Y on Autopilot. The crash proved fatal for the driver and sparked an investigation. Tesla remained silent, maintaining that Autopilot demands active supervision. This case wasn’t isolated; previous failures involving the system had already raised red flags.
7. Norwegian Winding Road Ends In Crash (2020)
In March 2020, a Tesla Model 3 in Norway was involved in a chain collision, with police citing Autopilot as a factor. However, Tesla enthusiast Bjørn Nyland argued that "phantom braking" usually causes minor speed reductions, not abrupt stops, emphasizing proper following distances to prevent accidents.
8. Fatal Collision With Parked Truck In Florida (2019)
A Tesla on Autopilot sped through a T-intersection at 70 mph on an unsuitable rural road, striking a couple and causing a fatality. Upon dropping his phone, the driver admitted to looking away for a second, raising concerns over Autopilot misuse and driver oversight.
National Transportation Safety Board on Wikimedia
9. Uber Tesla Crash In Las Vegas (2024)
In April 2024, an Uber driver using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software collided with an SUV in Las Vegas, raising safety concerns. The driver, Justin Yoon, stated that the car didn’t slow down even after the SUV emerged from a blind spot.
10. Fiery Explosion In Moscow (2019)
One Tesla exploded into flames after crashing into a tow truck on the highway. Passengers barely escaped before the fire consumed the car. While it raised alarms about the fire risk of electronic vehicles in high-impact crashes, Tesla maintained its stance on the Model 3’s safety.
11. Highway Barrier Impact In Japan (2018)
In Gardena, California, two lives were lost when a Tesla Model S sped through a red light, causing a fatal crash. The NHTSA launched an investigation to determine if Autopilot was engaged. Meanwhile, concerns grew over whether drivers were placing too much trust in Tesla’s system.
12. Stationary Fire Truck Collision (2019)
A fire truck became an unwilling crash target of a Tesla Model 3’s autopilot. It ran into it on the highway, and the driver suffered injuries to her ankle. The company and SJPD reminded users to stay alert. Tesla also warns that even with automation, ignoring roads can lead to serious injury or worse.
13. Motorcyclist Fatality In California (2024)
Autopilot’s inability to detect small, fast-moving objects turned deadly, and yet again, the Tesla Model 3 failed to register a motorcyclist, resulting in a catastrophic collision. Safety advocates demanded reforms as the company continued pushing its vision of autonomous driving despite mounting concerns over its system’s limitations.
14. Overturned Truck Collision In Taiwan (2020)
Viral footage showed a Tesla Model 3 plowing into an overturned truck despite having plenty of time to react. This crash became global news, sparking outrage over Autopilot’s blind spots and raising questions about its AI perception abilities.
Tesla on Autopilot Crashes into Overturned Truck on Busy Highway in Taiwan by On Demand News
15. Stop Sign Ignored In Australia (2022)
Authorities investigated a Tesla Model 3 crash that left a nurse in critical condition at a Melbourne tram stop. The driver, who first fled from the scene, was later apprehended. Now facing multiple charges, they claim Autopilot was in control at the time of impact.
16. Motorcyclist Fatality In Florida Due (2022)
The model yet again failed to slow down, killing a motorcyclist and fueling concerns over Tesla’s inability to detect motorcycles. Safety advocates argue that current regulations fail riders, as driver-assist systems lack testing for motorcycle detection.
17. Semi-Truck Collision In Florida (2019)
The Tesla Model 3 collided with a tractor-trailer under circumstances eerily similar to the 2016 Joshua Brown accident. Once again, the Autopilot failed to recognize the semi-truck, leading to the driver’s death on impact. The NTSB called for stronger safety regulations to prevent such incidents following the crash.
18. Phantom Braking Causes Eight-Car Pile (2022)
A Model S on Full Self-Driving suddenly braked on the Bay Bridge, triggering an eight-car pile-up. Reports of phantom braking were already rising, and this incident escalated concerns over Tesla’s autopilot reliability on congested highways.
19. Curve Navigation Failure In Washington (2024)
The 56-year-old driver at Monroe was arrested for vehicular homicide after admitting to distracted driving on Autopilot while relying on the car to steer itself. However, as similar crashes continue to occur, legal experts warn that Tesla can’t avoid responsibility for its frequently misused system.
20. Motorcyclist Fatality In California (2022)
Another motorcycle fatality adds to the list, as Tesla on Autopilot failed to recognize the object, resulting in a deadly collision on the highway. The parents of a motorcyclist sued the company, calling its driver-assist features "defective and inadequate."
