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It was clear in March that Tesla owners had a lot of concerns.
After all, it was public knowledge that Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his Merry Pranksters at the Department of Government InEfficiency (DOGE) were hacking into federal funds that everyday US citizens paid through their taxes.
A huge malaise fell upon Tesla owners when they learned that DOGE was supporting the removal of USAID, Social Security Administration, and Health and Human Services workers — usually without cause but with exaggerated and unsupported claims.
Many people started to worry that their purchase of a Tesla would be perceived as complicit with Musk’s right-wing actions, and, as a result, their all-electric vehicles were becoming a target for frustration around the country.
“Within the community, there definitely is fear right now,” John Stringer, president of Tesla Owners Silicon Valley club, told Fortune then. “Whether you like it or not, Tesla owners are being targeted. We saw it happening with a member in San Jose,” he continued, adding that “it’s just happening all over the place right now.”
My guy and I were part of a Tesla owners group who pasted on bumper stickers in the hopes of distancing ourselves from Musk’s destruction. Previously, it was rare for anyone to approach us and ask about our Model Y, but, once the bumper sticker went on, strangers came up to us, gave us the thumbs up sign, and chatted about what a lunatic Musk has turned out to be.
Most Tesla owners thought the anti-Tesla sentiment would dissipate, that the stories about Tesla vehicle vandalism were isolated and temporary. We suspected the uprisings and mass protests at Tesla dealerships would fade away as attention was redirected elsewhere.
After all, by April and early May, Musk’s buddy, President Donald J. Trump, was really busy. He was trying to reopen Alcatraz as a prison, annex Canada so it could become the 51st US state, intentionally fail to reimburse farmers for federally-guaranteed grant expenditures, and refuse US entry to another French scientist.
But, no, Tesla owners continued to worry about the anger festering over the right-wing activities of CEO Elon Musk. That’s the conclusion of an April study that has just been released.
Guardian Service surveyed over 500 Tesla drivers to explore how vandalism, insurance hikes, and targeted hostility are reshaping the EV ownership experience — especially for younger generations and those in certain US regions. The generational breakdown was Gen Z (28%), millennials (31%), and Gen X and baby boomers combined (31%). Survey data was collected in April 2025.
Here are the key takeaways from the survey.
Intentional Damage Leads to “Vandalism Anxiety”
- Nearly 3 in 4 Tesla owners (72%) believe they’re more likely to be targeted for vandalism than other drivers.
- Over 2 in 5 Tesla owners (44%) report experiencing intentional damage to their vehicle, like keying or slashed tires, costing them an average of $1,900 in repairs.
- Younger Tesla drivers seem to face the most hostility: 61% of Gen Z owners said their car had been vandalized — that’s nearly twice the rate of older generations. They also spent the most on repairs, averaging $2,113.
- Millennials and older drivers, by comparison, paid closer to $1,730.
- Tesla owners in the South (46%) are more than twice as likely to report vandalism compared to those in the Northeast (22%), West (21%), or Midwest (11%).
The Consequences of Fear
- Beyond physical damage, 43% of Tesla owners said they’ve received rude gestures or negative comments from strangers while behind the wheel.
- 66% feel anxious leaving their car unattended.
- 60% say concerns over vandalism or insurance have led them to drive less or avoid certain areas entirely.
- More than 1 in 3 owners (37%) said they’ve avoided posting about their car on social media out of fear of backlash or judgment.
Costs of Ownership Have Risen, Sparking Regret
- Over 3 in 5 Tesla owners (61%) say their insurance premiums have increased, by an average of $340 annually, and 53% expect another hike this year.
- Recalls like that of Tesla’s Cybertruck (accelerator pedal issues that increased the risk of crashes) complicate the Tesla ownership experience.
- Tesla owners’ regret and resale intent is palpable, with 34% considering selling and 30% not buying again.
- Millennials were the most likely to report buyer’s remorse, with 22% saying they regretted their purchase.
- 37% of Gen Z owners said they’re considering selling or trading in their Tesla in the next year.
It’s Time to Get Out of DOGE
Today’s Washington Post describes how Musk’s DOGE is racing to build a single centralized database with vast troves of personal information about millions of US citizens and residents. It’s a campaign led by an unpaid special government employee that often violates or disregards core privacy and security protections meant to keep such information safe.
DOGE has also sometimes removed protections around sensitive information — on Social Security numbers, birth dates, employment history, disability records, and medical documentation.
For example, while it would’ve been typical for a website for a new visa program to be set up behind a protective virtual private network, that’s not how DOGE approached the situation. Five DOGE employees at the Department of Health and Human Services can see payment and contractor information as well as Medicaid and Medicare recipients’ Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and medical diagnoses, according to government records submitted in a lawsuit filed by the AFL-CIO against the Labor Department.
The current administration and DOGE are bypassing many normal data-sharing processes, according to staffers across 10 federal agencies, who spoke to the Washington Post on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.
Final Thoughts about Disgruntled Tesla Owners
Chat rooms are full of advice for Tesla drivers who are wary of vandalism.
One thought is to set Sentry Mode so owners can observe people around their Tesla when they step away for an errand or park the car for the evening. Sentry Mode is like a security camera or an eyewitness in the midst of mischief. Aram Krajekian at Torque News reminded readers, “It’s a 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.”
Some Tesla owners who are afraid of being targeted by vandals are appealing to Musk to add a feature that could prevent an attack before it ever happens. The idea is to add defensive measures like honking or flashing lights to deter vandals.
Suggestions have also included alerting potential no-gooders approaching a Tesla they are being caught on film.
Even adding a “24/7 recording” sticker can help.
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