Mario Zelaya was thrilled when he purchased his $140,000 Tesla Model S back in 2013. As an early adopter of the still relatively new electric vehicle technology, he looked forward to enjoying a luxury driving experience powered by batteries rather than gasoline. For several years, Zelaya was pleased with his high-tech purchase. But then things took a nightmarish turn that left him locked out of his car with a $26,000 barrier to re-entry.

According to Zelaya (via TikTok), his Tesla troubles began when water somehow leaked into the battery, causing it to fail. With the battery dead, he lost access to the vehicle. When he contacted Tesla looking for solutions, the options they provided were limited and distressingly expensive. Zelaya claims Tesla told him he could either pay $26,000 for an entirely new battery or try to dismantle the vehicle himself to gain entry, which he did not have the skills, tools or time to attempt.

With no immediate way to get back into his bricked Tesla and Tesla unwilling to offer any reasonable assistance, Zelaya felt forced to try to sell the shiny but inert luxury electric vehicle (LEV). However, this led to yet another roadblock.

When Zelaya attempted to sell his Tesla EV, he discovered the ownership papers were locked inside the vehicle to which he no longer had access. With no proof of ownership, a sale was impossible. So to sell his disabled Tesla, he first had to pay $30 to the Canadian equivalent of the DMV for replacement ownership documentation.

Finally, after what must have been an enormously frustrating ordeal, Zelaya managed to sell his water-damaged Model S EV to a new owner who was able to successfully break in and restart the Tesla.

While Zelaya is likely relieved to have washed his hands of the problematic vehicle, his experience highlights the risks early adopters face with new technologies. Had he purchased a gas-powered luxury vehicle for the same price, it’s unlikely he would have faced anything close to the same barriers and expenses when confronted with fairly common vehicle damage from water exposure.

As Tesla works to iron out the kinks in their vehicles, they should be careful not to leave loyal early adopters like Zelaya feeling stranded and exploited. If the company hopes to retain customers who are willing to take a chance on their cutting-edge products, they need to prioritize service and support. $26,000 to get back into a bricked Tesla may ensure it’s the owner’s last Tesla. Treating customers fairly and keeping them on the road will better pave Tesla’s way to a sustainable future.