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This might be the fourth instance I have encountered this last week regarding these Tesla vandalizations. I can’t believe just how many similarities I’m seeing between these poor Tesla owners. While strolling through the “Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club” group on Facebook today, I saw Tanriver Noah's post and it surprised me at how common this scenario was becoming. Noah shared photos of deep and jagged scratches running across the side of his Tesla. There were long gouges on the door, the rear, and it looked like it had been attacked with a key. Even the front hadn’t been spared. It definitely looked personal, but what made it worse was what Noah wrote beneath the photos. Here's what he had to say: 

“Someone did this. Regrettably, Sentry Mode wasn't turned on.”

In the Tesla world, Sentry Mode is your security camera and eyewitness. It's your only chance at catching someone in the act. Without it, there’s no recording, no license plate, no blurry face to zoom in on. Just damage, regret, and unanswered questions. And as the comments began to pour in beneath Noah's post, it became clear that this wasn’t just an isolated incident, it was part of a larger pattern of vandalism, negligence, and hard lessons many Tesla owners are learning the hard way.

Here's another picture from Noah's post revealing more scratches: 

The Community Reacts

Harlan Harrah chimed in first with a guess: “Looks like car wash damage.” Noah responded calmly but firmly saying, “Not wash damage exactly. Someone did this.”

His answer dismissed any lingering doubt. This wasn’t an accident. It was intentional. The comment thread continued to unfold into a wider conversation about Tesla ownership and the security vulnerabilities that come with it. Bran Don shared,

"Dang that sucks. I had the same issue with Sentry Mode not recording all the time. You must delete old clips as your memory card might be full. I notice it picks and chooses what days to record at a certain point until I start clearing them out. Hope that helps and hope you find the person who did that."

This comment brought up a valuable point that Sentry Mode isn’t foolproof. If the USB drive is full then it stops recording. Unless the owner regularly clears space, the system becomes a silent observer with no memory. For many owners that’s a bitter realization. In another similar real-world case I wrote about, another Tesla owner caught someone keying their Tesla at a shopping center thanks to Sentry Mode. Without it, it puts a vandalized owner in a hopeless situation.

Dusten Mahathy didn’t hold back in his reaction:

“Man if you don’t have Sentry turned on in 2025, then this is your fault. Teslas are being damaged every other day.”

I got to admit this does sound slightly harsh, but it reflects a growing reality among Tesla owners. The responsibility to protect your car doesn’t end after parking it. It extends into the settings menu, the charging port, and the tiny red light that says "recording." His comment also echoes the past couple of stories I have written on. A lot of recent Tesla vandalization has been taking place.

Then came a deeper comment from Jonathan Eisold, tapping into something emotional:

“Sorry, petty people! I mean really regardless of political views, what is this doing to Elon exactly? (Answer: NOTHING) You're only hurting the person who owns the car simply for what car they chose to own and possibly have owned for many years. Totally pointless and petty. Ok rant over, but seriously people we need to do better!”

Jonathan’s words felt like they carried the collective frustration of a community that’s grown used to being targeted. Whether it's due to political beliefs, assumptions about wealth, or just pure resentment, Tesla vandalism is no longer rare. Some owners have even reported being hit and run without any footage available because the cameras didn’t catch the right angle or weren’t active at the time of the incident.

Vandalism or Statement?

It raises a serious question: is owning a Tesla now considered a provocation? In another case I wrote about, an owner had their Tesla Model 3 vandalized just three days after getting it, and the damage didn’t feel random. There’s something brewing beneath the surface and many Tesla drivers can feel it.

Seeing these stories pop up again and again, I can’t help but notice a shift in how we think about vehicle security. The car is no longer just a machine we drive as it’s a data hub, a statement, and sometimes a target. The fact that we now rely on cameras to give us peace of mind tells you how much the landscape has changed. But what fascinates me most is how something as small as forgetting to enable a digital feature can lead to irreversible consequences.

In a time when some drivers are proudly sticking with their Teslas despite the hate, it’s clear that loyalty to this brand comes with emotional baggage. But it also creates a powerful community of people who support each other through posts like Noah's. That solidarity matters especially when your only recourse after being keyed is to post in a group and hope for help.

The other layer of this conversation is technical. If your USB storage is full or if you haven’t formatted your drive properly, Sentry Mode may not even record when it says it is. These small details have big consequences. Tesla has made immense strides with its security system but owners must play their part too.

And yet the human side always cuts deeper than the technical one. No one wants to walk up to their car and feel violated. Especially when it’s a car they love and in many cases when they recently transitioned into from another EV or brand. That’s why these stories matter. They’re not just about scratched paint, they’re about people who feel personally attacked because of what they drive.

What Every Tesla Owner Should Keep in Mind

• Don’t assume Sentry Mode is on by default: Always double-check before leaving your vehicle. A simple toggle could mean the difference between catching a vandal and being left in the dark.
• Check your storage regularly: Sentry Mode relies on having space to record. A full USB drive is essentially useless in the moments you need it most.
• Vandalism against EVs is a growing issue: Whether it's a reflection of politics, resentment, or misunderstanding, it’s happening more often. Protecting your car isn't just about avoiding accidents anymore.
• Don’t rely solely on technology: Park in safe and well-lit areas. Avoid leaving your car in places where it may draw unwanted attention. And when possible, use physical deterrents as well.
• Support from the community matters: Sometimes the only thing that helps you cope with damage like this is knowing you're not alone. Sharing stories like this one raises awareness and reminds others to stay vigilant.

Share Your Experience

Have you ever had your Tesla or any other car damaged while parked? Did Sentry Mode or another camera system ever help you catch the person who did it?

We want to hear your story. Let us know 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: Tanriver Noah's post from the "Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club" public Facebook group.