Tesla Autopilot Malfunction Causes Car to Submerge in Austrian Lake
A Tesla Model X with Autopilot activated reportedly malfunctioned near Gmunden, Austria on 21 October 2024, suddenly braking and accelerating before the startled driver caused the vehicle to enter a lake. The driver escaped uninjured and the vehicle was recovered; authorities stated further investigation is ongoing.
What happened
A 45-year-old driver from the Czech Republic activated Tesla Autopilot on his Tesla Model X on 21 October 2024 near Gmunden, Austria. The Autopilot reportedly detected an obstacle and initiated sudden hard braking, then the vehicle accelerated strongly, causing the startled driver to jerk the steering wheel to the right.
Reported impact
The car drove over a green strip and into the Traunsee lake to a depth of approximately five metres. The driver escaped the sinking vehicle uninjured and rescued himself. Fire brigades and rescue divers recovered the submerged vehicle after about two hours; authorities reported no environmental damage.
Index analysis
The Autopilot reportedly failed to correctly assess the driving environment, detecting a non-existent obstacle. The system's sudden braking and subsequent acceleration created a hazardous situation that the driver could not prevent despite attempting manual intervention.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.