My Tesla Was Vandalized Less Than a Week After I Bought It, and Sentry Mode Missed Everything Because the Battery Was Too Low

There’s a unique kind of excitement that comes with driving a brand-new car off the lot, especially one as attention-grabbing as a Tesla. The smooth silence of an electric drivetrain, the futuristic tech, the unmistakable design, it all feels like a step into tomorrow. But as more Teslas hit the streets, they’ve become lightning rods for admiration and, sometimes, resentment. That contrast came into focus this afternoon when I came across a post in the “Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club” by Omya Shanti, whose ownership experience took an unexpected turn just days after taking delivery. Her story started with joy and quickly spiraled into frustration. Just days after receiving her Tesla, she found it had already been keyed. The worst part? Her battery had dropped below 20 percent, so Sentry Mode was turned off, leaving no footage and no way to know who was responsible. Here's Omya's own words and a picture of her scratched car: 

"Just got my Telsa not even a week ago already dealing with these problems."

For any new Tesla owner, this is a gut punch. That initial excitement of a fresh delivery, the thrill of those first few days, suddenly replaced with the frustration and violation of random damage. Regrettably, Omya’s experience isn’t isolated. In another incident that drew attention online, a different new Tesla owner had their Model 3 vandalized just three days after delivery, raising concerns about whether Teslas are being specifically targeted.

Some owners have had better chances, like one driver who shared how their Tesla was keyed while parked at a shopping center and Sentry Mode did catch the culprit on video. That footage helped document the incident and increased the odds of accountability. Sadly, Omya didn’t get that same opportunity, reminding us how some other Tesla owners returned to find their vehicles covered in scratches after forgetting to activate Sentry Mode. 

As many Tesla owners know, Sentry Mode is one of the most powerful deterrents and evidence-capturing tools the brand offers. But when the battery dips below 20 percent, the system disables to conserve energy. It’s a smart move for vehicle preservation, but it also creates a vulnerability, and it was that vulnerability Omya fell victim to.

The Community Weighs In

Lionessa FireStorm jumped into the comments, asking, “Did someone key your car or is it a paint defect? If keyed, I hope you recorded it so you can blast local community groups as well as give it to the police. I'm sorry that happened to your new car.”

Omya confirmed it wasn’t a defect and responded, "Sadly at this time my car was under 20% and I was just getting familiar with the car. But now I’m definitely gonna keep on sentry mode and park away from every car just so I could catch who did it or who does." 

As sad as this situation is, Omya learned the hard way that even the most advanced security features come with limitations. When those limitations align with bad timing, it can leave new owners exposed in ways they never expected. 

Another group member, Devante Johnson, offered a different kind of advice: “One thing I recommend as well, which I just did, was change my insurance to a lower deductible for now.” It’s a smart move. While vandalism might not be avoidable, the out-of-pocket cost for fixing it can be managed with the right insurance strategy. And if Devante means for now as in the heated climate around the Tesla brand, then anticipating damage and paying less out of pocket until this wave of hate passes over could be the financially beneficial choice.

Ajdin Bilajac echoed a now-familiar refrain in the Tesla community, urging, “Guys from everything that’s been happening. I urge every single Tesla owner to keep the sentry mode on 24 seven.” While battery conservation is important, incidents like Omya’s are making more owners consider prioritizing security over range.

Not everyone was sympathetic, though. Jayla Parks commented, “You knew the risks when you bought it right?” A blunt take, but one that sparked conversation. Mandy Lutz responded, “I think we should be able to own whatever car we want without it being vandalized.”

What we’re witnessing is the tension between EV pride and public perception. Teslas have become status symbols, cultural flashpoints, and sadly, occasional targets. Owners still love their Teslas, like how stories from owners who say they bought a Tesla and couldn’t imagine driving anything else, despite the backlash. And while not everyone agrees on how to prevent vandalism, most agree that it shouldn’t be accepted as a normal part of ownership.

There’s something deeply unsettling about realizing your car may have been targeted on purpose. It flips the whole ownership experience from pride to paranoia in seconds. Whether it's driven by resentment, political bias, or simple mischief, it's creating a layer of anxiety around an otherwise futuristic ownership experience.

This also connects back to a larger debate circulating through the community like whether Tesla owners would buy again if we removed Elon Musk and politics from the equation. The answers poured in, and many of them mirrored the same frustration Omya voiced: great cars, but the ownership experience can be spoiled by things completely out of the driver’s control.

When the Excitement Fades and the Reality Sets In

Reading Omya’s post and watching these similar stories circulate online reminded me of how strong the emotional stakes are when you buy a vehicle like this. Many Tesla drivers have expressed how they can’t imagine going back to anything else, even in the face of criticism, vandalism, or frustrating service situations.

Sentry Mode is a brilliant piece of tech, but it’s not perfect. Battery-saving features can inadvertently open the door to situations like Omya’s. Maybe Tesla could implement a setting that allows users to prioritize Sentry Mode even when the battery is low, as some owners would gladly trade a few miles of range for peace of mind.

At the end of the day, stories like this serve as a reminder that while the future of cars may be electric, it’s still very human, and sometimes flawed. No amount of innovation can fully shield us from human behavior and the power of hate.

The fact that this has become so common is also not to be understated. After all, this is what I do for work. I report and find all kinds of stories, the good and the bad, on ownership experiences. What I've been seeing recently has truly been an eye-opening experience for myself personally seeing the amount of Tesla vandalism taking place. Hopefully soon, we can all come together and dish aside the hate.

Key Takeaways and Lessons

• Keep Sentry Mode Active: Adjust charging habits and prioritize parking near outlets if necessary to ensure your security system remains online.
• Review Your Insurance Policy: A lower deductible could save you from big out-of-pocket expenses if your vehicle is ever vandalized. Especially in this time of political turmoil for a lot of Tesla owners.
• Be Smart About Where You Park: Choose spots near cameras or well-lit areas and keep distance from other vehicles when possible.
• Understand the Limits of Tech: Just because your car is loaded with features doesn’t mean it’s untouchable. Know what systems like Sentry Mode can’t do and plan your habits around those gaps.

Now We Want to Hear from You

Has your vehicle ever been vandalized, and if so, do you think it was because of the type of car you drive?

And for Tesla owners, do you keep Sentry Mode running at all times, or have you had to make compromises due to battery life even above 20%? 

Let me know of your thoughts 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 3 and Model Y Owners Club" public Facebook group.