Tesla Cybertruck Owner Reports Vehicle Shutting Down After Two Weeks of Heat-Induced Charging in Arizona
In a recent incident, AJ Esguerra, a Cybertruck owner from Arizona, left his vehicle plugged in for two weeks while on vacation, only to return and find it completely unresponsive. With the Arizona heatwave reaching record highs, many assumed that the heat might have caused battery damage or overheating, rendering the Cybertruck unresponsive. However, further investigation revealed a different cause for the malfunction.
Tesla's battery thermal management system is designed to protect the battery from overheating, even in extreme heat conditions like Arizona heatwaves. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed this, stating that Tesla's active battery cooling system prevents heat damage to the battery [4].
The true culprit behind AJ's Cybertruck malfunction was a failed voltage converter module, an electronic component unrelated to the battery or its charging system. This failure prevented the 12V system from powering the onboard computers, making the vehicle unresponsive and unable to open the doors [3].
It is worth noting that Tesla recommends leaving EVs plugged in when not in use, as charging systems automatically stop at 100% and maintain battery health [4]. This misconception about leaving a Tesla Cybertruck plugged in during a heatwave causing damage to the battery or making it unresponsive has been debunked.
Other Cybertruck owners, such as Samuel Bringas and Gareth Seltzer, have experienced similar issues. Bringas advises contacting Tesla Roadside Assistance, while Seltzer suggests using the Tesla app for mobile service to swap out the battery [4].
The incident has sparked discussions among Cybertruck owners about charging during heatwaves and the best course of action when facing such issues. Some, like Rod Desinord, suggest that Tesla will come out and jump-start the low-voltage battery, allowing AJ to get into the vehicle. Others, however, are more cautious and advise contacting Tesla service immediately.
In an effort to prevent such issues during summer, some Cybertruck owners, like Brian Younge, have even installed A/C units in their garages specifically for their Cybertrucks. Brian plans to get Tesla solar panels to power the A/C unit in the fall [2].
For daily updates on all things Tesla, follow Tinsae Aregay on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay. AJ has shared his story on the Tesla Cybertruck Owners group on Facebook, where fellow Cybertruck owners have expressed their concerns and shared their own experiences.
In conclusion, leaving the Cybertruck plugged in during a heatwave should not cause it to become bricked or unresponsive due to battery or thermal damage. The incident was an isolated electronic failure unrelated to the ambient heat or charging state [4].
- AJ Esguerra's Cybertruck malfunction was not caused by the heatwave-related battery damage or overheating, as many initially assumed, but rather a failed voltage converter module, an electronic component unrelated to the battery or its charging system.
- Struggling with a similar issue, fellow Cybertruck owner, Samuel Bringas, advises contacting Tesla Roadside Assistance, while Gareth Seltzer suggests using the Tesla app for mobile service to swap out the battery.
- In an attempt to prevent such issues during summer, some Cybertruck owners, like Brian Younge, have even installed A/C units in their garages specifically for their Cybertrucks and plan to get Tesla solar panels to power the A/C unit in the fall.
