His Brother Passed Away And He Has To Pick Up His Tesla Model 3 From CA to VA, But He Has No Access To The Inside of The Car

Today, I came across a story that’s equal parts heartbreaking and intriguing that’s got me hooked. Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at us, and for Alexus Clark, the past few months have been filled with grief, unanswered questions, and now, a logistical difficulty involving a Tesla Model 3. When his brother passed away last November, Clark had no idea he would soon have to figure out how to retrieve his sibling’s car - completely locked out, with no key card, no phone access, and a vehicle that has been sitting dead in a California police impound lot for months. And to make matters worse, he has to get it all the way to Virginia.

First, as human beings let's offer our condolences to Alexus for his brother's passing and I feel sorry for his loss. I am only covering this story because I assume many other people one day sadly may be faced with a similar situation and I would like them to know what to do when in a similar situation regarding a Tesla or another EV.

An Unusual Problem: How Do You Access a Tesla Model 3 Without Keys or a Phone?

Clark took to the Tesla Tips & Tricks Facebook group, hoping for some guidance. In his heartfelt post, he explained:

“Hello everyone, I need some help and advice. My brother passed away in November of last year, and he has a Tesla Model 3. The police have just finished the investigation, and I need to pick up his car from their lot. It’s been there for months, and obviously, it’s dead. I have to get the car towed from CA to VA, and I’m wondering how difficult will it be without having access to the inside of the vehicle. I don’t have my brother’s cell phone, nor do I have the key card to access the inside of the car. I know very little about cars in general, let alone about his Tesla. Will this be a difficult problem to solve?”

Clark’s dilemma is not just about moving a vehicle. This is an unusual occurrence where a high-tech, keyless car presents a barrier that traditional car owners wouldn’t face. Unlike conventional vehicles, where you can simply grab a spare key or pop the lock, Tesla’s advanced security features add layers of complexity when an owner passes away without a next-of-kin transfer. This isn’t the first time Tesla’s security measures have posed unexpected challenges. If you’ve ever had a Tesla go missing or been unable to locate it due to software or tracking issues, check out this First Place to Look If Your Tesla Is Missing—it might just save you from an unnecessary headache.

Step One: Transferring Tesla Ownership

Several members of the Tesla community responded with valuable advice, and the consensus was clear—before anything else, Clark needs to contact Tesla directly. Pavel Granovsky was one of the first to offer a structured approach:

“Sorry for your loss. You will probably need to get in touch with Tesla and inquire about ownership transfer to you in their system. Once it's under your name, they should be able to issue a replacement key card to get you inside the car. You will need to do a cold jump most likely to get it on the tow truck. Tesla should be able to assist you with that. Look up your nearest Tesla service center as your first point of contact.”

Ownership transfer can take days or even weeks, and Tesla is known for its strict verification process. If the car was left to Clark in a will, it simplifies matters. But if no legal documentation exists, things could get complicated. Carolyn Elizabeth shared her personal experience with inheriting a car:

“Definitely contact Tesla. He might have had to leave this asset to you in his Will. You might need to register it in the near future. After my mom died, I had to get notarized letters from both brothers (who were also named in her Will) claiming they do not want to claim any part of the car. I took letters to DMV to register, along with the Will, to finalize it. If Tesla cannot help, then I'd contact a family lawyer. Sorry for your loss, this isn't easy.”

Step Two: Gaining Access to the Tesla Model 3

Assuming ownership can be successfully transferred, Clark’s next challenge is unlocking the car and getting it ready for transport. Several group members offered technical solutions for this.

Vijay Shah provided a crucial tip about accessing a Tesla with a dead battery:

“If you open the little tow panel on the front bumper, you can attach a battery and open the frunk. Then you can jump the low voltage battery and open the doors and charge port. Get it towed to a supercharger and charge it up. Getting new key cards from Tesla will get it on track. Check YouTube for videos to show you.”

For those unfamiliar, Tesla vehicles have a traditional 12V battery that powers the locks and electronic functions. If this battery dies, the main lithium-ion battery is inaccessible, and the car remains completely locked. Shah’s method allows owners to bypass this issue by reviving the 12V system first.

If you think a dead battery is frustrating, imagine trying to tow a Tesla in extreme conditions. Just ask the driver who attempted to pull a trailer with his Cybertruck across four states and ran into serious unexpected issues along the way.

Step Three: Transporting a Tesla Model 3 Across the Country

Once inside the car, the next challenge is moving it from California to Virginia—no small feat. Clark could choose between two primary options: hiring a specialized Tesla transport service or arranging for a tow company to take it to a Tesla Service Center first before shipping it cross-country.

Brenda Hassig pointed out that a Tesla does not need to be operational to be towed:

“Alternatively, you don’t need to start it to tow it. When I had a flat, they just hooked up to it, lifted the front, and put a set of towing wheels under the back. Just find a towing company that knows what they are doing.”

This situation is a reminder that Tesla vehicles can be towed in unconventional ways. If you ever doubted the capabilities of a Tesla under extreme stress, check out this Tesla Model Y towing a semi-trailer that’s three times its rated towing capacity—you won’t believe how it handled the challenge.

Final Thoughts: The Unexpected Challenges of Inheriting a Tesla

Clark’s situation highlights the unforeseen complications of inheriting a high-tech vehicle like a Tesla. Unlike traditional cars, where a spare key or locksmith could solve the issue, Teslas require a combination of legal, technical, and logistical solutions.

Tesla ownership comes with a unique set of experiences, from inheritance hurdles to long-haul road trips. If you're considering purchasing a Tesla Model 3, check out this comprehensive guide to get the most out of your ownership experience.

Have you ever faced a situation where Tesla's advanced security features made it difficult to access your car? Or have you had to tow your Tesla under unusual circumstances? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Image source: Grok.