The Tesla Model 3 has only been in the hands of drivers for a few months but a number of them have already been totaled.
One of the latest was owned by Reddit user “Model 3 Crash Dummy” who reportedly hit a parked car while traveling at 60 mph (96 km/h). The driver credits the Model 3 with saving their life and stated “Everyone from the paramedics to the tow truck driver said that people don’t usually walk away from this.”
The driver suffered a minor injury to their right foot but was otherwise okay. The front passenger wasn’t as lucky as the poster claimed their arm hit the central instrument cluster / infotainment system and shattered it. The broken glass then cut their arm.
The driver suggested Tesla add a so-called “screen airbag” and a manual way to open the glove box. As the owner explained, the shattered screen prevented him from opening the glove box to retrieve their title and insurance information.
Despite everything, the poster said they love Tesla and have already ordered another Model 3.
This would typically be where the story ends but Engadget reports Tesla CEO Elon Musk learned about the crash and promised to update the car. In a tweet, the space litterer said the company will be “adding [a] software feature to open [the] glove box automatically when car comes to a stop after a crash.” He also said Tesla will look into the possibility of adding a thin sheet of plastic to the display to prevent it from cutting people if it shatters.
Interestingly, there are also two other totaled Tesla Model 3s that will soon go up for auction in California. Both have an “actual cash value” of approximately $55,000 and are looking for a new home.
Adding software feature to open glovebox automatically when car comes to a stop after a crash. Will look at bonding a thin plastic sheet to the front or back of screen.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2018
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