When a person invests $80,000 in a car, the usual assumption is that the car is pretty safe and must have adequate security features. Well, it turns out that even an expensive car like a Tesla Model X comes with a major security flaw — anyone can open its trunk with a regular screwdriver.
If a YouTube video posted Wednesday is to be believed, there is small hatch located on the middle part of the left side of the front bumper of the car. The cover can be located using your fingers and will feel slightly elevated. Once you find it, you will simply need a screwdriver to pry it open. On doing so, you will see a steel mechanism with two ribbons hanging from it — you will need to pull them which will open the trunk, but it will also set off the car’s alarm.
The flaw surfaced in the YouTuber Salomondrin’s video in which he demonstrated the technique on his Tesla Model X. You will have to tune in at 10 minutes to see him showing the major flaw. Although we would like to warn you that the video does contain some language which is not safe for work.
The feature, which seems to have been designed as an emergency mechanism for first responders in case of an accident, makes the car susceptible since anything kept in the trunk could be stolen. And, if the thief puts the hood down, the consumer would be left wondering why the car alarm is going off, since the rest of the car would look completely unharmed.
Tesla’s owner’s manual does not mention the feature, which makes it safe to assume that most Tesla Model X customers might be unaware of its existence and could be at the risk of stuff being robbed from their car.
Even the Tesla Model S has the same mechanism, but it is located behind the front left wheel in that car. According to Autoblog, the feature, which is primarily present on electric cars, lets emergency responders shut down the high voltage system to prevent electrical injury.
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