The myth of Tesla’s Cybertruck being virtually unbreakable has been a part of its allure since Elon Musk’s infamous 2019 demonstration where the truck’s “armored” windows were supposed to withstand even the toughest impacts. Yet, as Tesla begins delivering these futuristic vehicles, reality seems to be setting in, and it’s far from the bulletproof fantasy many were sold.
The latest blow to the Cybertruck’s tough-guy image came when a determined thief shattered the passenger-side window of a Cybertruck in what appeared to be an effortless break-in. The incident, captured in full by the vehicle’s cameras, shows a burglar using a simple tool to pry open the window before smashing it completely. The thief, cool as a cucumber, even took his time rifling through the truck before making off with a backpack.
The owner, Anuk Thakkar, shared his frustration on Facebook, noting that despite Tesla’s vaunted security features, he received no alerts, no sirens blared, and the vehicle seemed blissfully unaware of the intrusion until it was too late. Thakkar’s disappointment is echoed by a growing number of Cybertruck owners who are finding that the reality of their new vehicle doesn’t quite live up to the hype.
Tesla has always marketed the Cybertruck as a beast of a machine, from its supposed bullet-resistant body to its unbreakable windows. Yet, Musk’s 2019 demonstration became a viral embarrassment when a stainless steel ball shattered the truck’s window on stage. At the time, Musk assured the public that the issue would be fixed, and the glass would be as tough as promised. Fast forward to 2023, and it seems those assurances might have been premature.
This latest incident is particularly concerning given that it wasn’t just a random act of vandalism but a targeted break-in that raises questions about the effectiveness of Tesla’s security systems. While the truck’s cameras recorded the entire theft, capturing clear images of the perpetrators, the lack of an immediate alert to the owner is troubling. Thakkar’s experience has sparked a debate on social media about the reliability of Tesla’s security features, with many questioning why such an advanced vehicle failed to detect or prevent the break-in.
Adding to the growing list of grievances among Cybertruck owners are complaints about other underwhelming features, such as its off-road capabilities and the much-touted “Wade Mode.” These issues, combined with the apparent ease with which the truck’s “unbreakable” window was shattered, are starting to chip away at the Cybertruck’s tough image.
As the first batch of Cybertrucks rolls out to customers, the question on everyone’s mind is whether these issues are mere teething problems or indicative of deeper flaws in a vehicle that has been heavily hyped as the future of automotive toughness. One thing is certain: the myth of the unbreakable Cybertruck is starting to look a lot more fragile.
