My Tesla Model Y's Sentry Mode Caught a Guy on Video Trying to Unlock My Door, But I Don’t Know If It Was a Mistake or Something Worse

Teslas have a way of catching things you’d never expect. One moment your car is just sitting there, and the next, it’s recording something that sparks a debate online. That’s exactly what happened to Forrest Beaver Hillyer, whose Model Y recorded a man walking up to his car, snapping a picture, and then trying to unlock it using what looked like a Tesla keycard. This morning, I came across Forrest’s post in the “Tesla Model Y” Facebook group, where he shared the video and admitted he’s still not sure what to make of it. "Please join the debate. My family and I are debating about what this guy is doing to my Model Y," Forrest wrote. While there’s no visible damage or signs of theft, the man’s movements, combined with the odd choice to photograph the car, left Forrest and his family wondering if this was just a harmless mistake or something more unsettling.

Reactions From the Community

At first glance, the footage might look like just another case of someone mistaking one white Tesla for another, which is a surprisingly common scenario given the Model Y’s popularity and the minimal visual differences between trims. But the fact that the individual paused to take a picture and then intentionally tried a keycard raised enough eyebrows that Forrest turned to the community for help.

Some commenters immediately raised the alarm. Hen Ben Leskinen wrote, “I’d report it to the police,” suggesting it’s better to be safe than sorry. But not everyone agreed. Joe Lewis quickly replied, “Waste of time. The police are not going to spend one minute looking for some guy that brushed his key card against your car. No crime has been committed.” For some, they view this as a harmless misunderstanding, while for others, it's a warning sign of something else.

Jade Automation brought up a technical concern, asking, “Where is the video from the other side of the car after he tried to open the car?” It’s a good point. Sentry Mode provides a robust multi-angle recording system, but sometimes a single camera view can lead to misunderstandings. In fact, Forrest’s video might just be one slice of a more mundane moment, or the only visible piece of something more suspicious.

Glenn Granger added another layer of perspective: “Is this in Colorado? Because it looks like me and I’ve done this before not knowing it wasn’t mine. There’s so many white Teslas in Castle Rock.” If you drive a white Model Y in a dense suburban area, it’s not hard to see how someone might accidentally approach the wrong one, especially at a busy parking lot or apartment complex.

Echoing that sentiment, Taylor Fowler chimed in with, “I don’t know why he was recording but all I can think of is that he went to the wrong car.” That alone might explain the entire situation, but it still doesn’t answer the deeper questions swirling in Forrest’s mind.

When Advanced Technology Reveals Unsettling Moments

While Teslas are among the most advanced vehicles on the road, equipped with always-on cameras and remote monitoring via the Tesla app, that technology sometimes reveals behavior we wouldn’t otherwise notice. What might have once gone unseen is now on camera, archived in the cloud, and debated across forums by thousands. Which is a good thing regardless of if it was a sign of something more serious or not.

This isn’t the first time Tesla owners have experienced unexpected or strange behavior around their cars. In one case, a Tesla Model Y owner shared how constant cabin overheating led them to create their own exterior sunshade to protect their vehicle. In another, an owner revealed how their brand new 2026 Tesla Model Y suddenly shut down mid-drive, forcing them to coast to a safe stop. These stories highlight how owning a Tesla sometimes feels like managing unexpected events. They are not just witnessed but recorded and shared, sparking conversations far beyond the moment itself.

Mistaken Identity

Then there’s the issue of mistaken identity, something that seems to be happening more often as Tesla's numbers grow. With so many near-identical vehicles on the road, it’s easy to imagine a friend or rideshare driver confusing cars. Still, the intentional tap of a keycard suggests a level of familiarity and purpose that’s hard to ignore. Was this person testing access? Returning to a car they thought was theirs? Or something more concerning?

If you're wondering how a Tesla keycard works, it’s tied to the owner's account and typically doesn’t function unless it's been properly linked via the Tesla app. That means a stranger’s keycard shouldn’t open your car. But the action of trying could suggest an assumption or an intent, which makes these moments hard to shrug off.

What Tesla Support Can and Can't Do

And then there’s the topic of service and support. Incidents like these often prompt owners to review their security settings or reach out to Tesla support. We’ve seen cases where Tesla stepped up in a big way, like the owner who shared how a technician drove 2.5 hours out of state to replace both headlights right in their driveway. But when it comes to reporting a possible tampering attempt, it’s not always clear what Tesla can or will do.

For others, moments like these spark larger concerns about owning such a connected vehicle. Some Tesla drivers have even gone as far as selling their Model Y after a year, citing privacy, complexity, or service-related frustrations. The reality is, owning a Tesla means living with a car that’s always watching, and sometimes what it captures isn’t all that comforting.

I think this story highlights the weird space where technology, security, and human behavior collide. As more Teslas hit the road, we’re going to see more of these strange situations that fall into a grey area. It’s not clear if Forrest’s experience was an innocent mistake or the early stages of something more serious, but the fact that we can even debate it shows how far we’ve come with car tech. A decade ago, you’d never know someone tried to open your car unless they left a scratch. Now, we’re capturing those moments and publicly dissecting them frame by frame. It’s fascinating, a little unsettling, and definitely a reminder that modern cars are more than just machines as they’re always-on observers.

Key Takeaways for Tesla Owners

• Always keep Sentry Mode active, especially in public parking lots or unfamiliar areas — it may catch something that raises questions or gives peace of mind.
• Review your event footage regularly, even if you don’t get a notification, small incidents often go unnoticed until later.
• Don’t dismiss odd behavior outright, but don’t jump to the worst-case scenario either. Sometimes, people just get confused.
• Use community input wisely: Tesla groups can offer incredible insight and reassurance during confusing moments.
• Educate others around you, especially family or neighbors, about how your car works, and what to do (or not do) if they’re near it.

It's Time for Your Thoughts

What do you think this person was doing? Was it an honest mistake or something more suspicious?

And for Tesla owners, have you ever caught something strange on your Sentry footage and not known what to make of it?

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter, so please don't hesitate to share in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: Tesla Gallery and the "Tesla Model Y" public Facebook group.