Incident Overview

A Tesla Cybertruck was recovered from Grapevine Lake in north Texas after its driver intentionally drove into the water to test the vehicle's "wade mode" feature, according to multiple reports. The Grapevine Police Department stated that officers responded on Monday to retrieve the vehicle, which had become disabled and took on water after entering the lake. The driver and passengers abandoned the truck before calling for help, and the vehicle was found partially submerged near the shoreline.

The Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted police in the recovery operation, as reported by both BBC and The Guardian. The driver was subsequently arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake and for unspecified water safety equipment violations, according to police statements cited by all three sources.

Coverage Comparison

The incident received coverage from BBC World and The Guardian, with both outlets reporting on the same core facts: the intentional entry into the lake, the use of "wade mode," the vehicle becoming stuck, and the subsequent arrest. BBC's reporting, which appeared in two separate articles, focused on the incident as a bizarre event, while The Guardian emphasized the legal consequences and technical details of the vehicle's capabilities. Neither outlet used loaded or sensationalist language, maintaining a neutral tone throughout.

Key Claims

  • Intentional entry: According to Grapevine Police, as reported by BBC and The Guardian, the driver told officers he "intentionally drove into the lake to use the Cybertruck's 'Wade Mode' feature." This claim is consistent across all three reports.
  • Arrest and charges: The driver was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake and for water safety equipment violations, per police statements reported by all sources. The exact nature of the equipment violations was not specified.
  • Wade mode specifications: Tesla's owner's manual, as quoted in The Guardian and BBC, states that "Wade Mode" allows the Cybertruck to "enter and drive through bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks" at a maximum depth of approximately 32 inches (815 mm), measured from the bottom of the tire. The manual also advises drivers to reduce speed as water depth changes and to keep all doors and windows fully closed.
  • Warranty and responsibility: Tesla's manual, as reported by BBC, emphasizes that it is the driver's responsibility "to gauge the depth of any body of water before entering," and that "damage or water ingress to Cybertruck as a result of driving in water is not covered by the warranty." The Guardian also noted this warranty exclusion.

Perspectives

Law enforcement viewpoint: Grapevine Police spokesperson Katharina Gamboa, in comments reported by CBS News via BBC, stated, "We wouldn't encourage willingly driving your vehicle into the water," adding that "not only that, it's a safety concern, but it's also a legal concern as well." Police also reminded drivers that although a vehicle may be capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law.

Tesla's official guidance: The Cybertruck owner's manual provides detailed instructions for using "Wade Mode," including that the vehicle's ride height is set to "Very High" and that water protection is provided up to approximately 32 inches at speeds of 1-3 mph. The manual explicitly warns that entering water is at the driver's own risk and may void warranty coverage.

The incident underscores the distinction between a vehicle's technical capabilities and the legal and safety implications of using them in public water bodies. While "Wade Mode" is designed for crossing rivers or creeks, the driver's decision to enter a closed section of a lake led to the vehicle's submersion and subsequent legal consequences.