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Imagine you’re driving your brand-new Tesla Cybertruck—a truck you’ve waited years to own—when it suddenly shuts down in the middle of the highway. You pull over to figure out what’s wrong. But when you step out, the unthinkable happens: the truck “bricks” itself, locking you out entirely.

That’s exactly what happened to Missouri resident Inger Brane, who shared his ordeal with the Cybertruck Owners Only group on Facebook. His post summed up his frustration:

“My truck just died in the middle of the road. No power and I am locked out. How do I get back inside?”

The comments poured in, ranging from sympathy to outright victim-blaming. Jeffrey Page pointed out the absurdity, asking, “So your truck is sitting in the middle of the road with you just standing beside it locked out?” Brane’s response was simple: “Yes.”

Speculation abounded. XM Bautista suggested, “Acc battery dead first bet… 48v also known as ur 12v battery.” Jacqueline Evans recommended, “Call Tesla roadside.”

Others weren’t as helpful. Williams Ainsley asked, “Why didn’t you leave a door open? SMH.” Sean Duffy added, “Isn’t rule #1 of driving, don’t get out in the middle of the road?”

Brane eventually threw in the towel. “Had it towed. It was fully charged. What a pain,” he concluded.

Cause of the dead Tesla Cybertruck

How does a “fully charged” Tesla Cybertruck stop driving and lock its owner out? The answer lies in the difference between its “traction” battery and auxiliary (ACC) battery.

The traction battery is the massive lithium-ion pack that powers the truck’s electric motors. The auxiliary 48-volt system, however, powers everything else—from HVAC to infotainment to the steer-by-wire system and power door handles—and can remain active even when the propulsion system is “off.” Normally, the truck charges this auxillary system while driving. But when the auxiliary system malfunctions, it can leave the vehicle stranded and inaccessible.

This issue highlights a key difference between Tesla’s 48-volt ACC system and the 12-volt batteries found in most EVs. While a bricked EV with a dead 12-volt battery can be revived with jumper cables, the Cybertruck’s ACC battery is more complex. A dead Tesla Cybertruck auxiliary system means there’s no easy way to regain access or functionality, leaving owners stranded.

The dead Tesla Cybertruck issue is just the latest in a series of glitches and design flaws that have plagued Tesla’s most ambitious vehicle. From recalls over windshield wiper motors and flying trim pieces to reports of subframe failures, the Cybertruck’s early production run has underscored the risks of prioritizing cutting-edge design over quality control. While Tesla’s innovation pushes boundaries, it also introduces vulnerabilities. For owners like Brane, a dead Tesla Cybertruck is a stark reminder that futuristic technology still needs to deliver reliability.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.