A Tesla Cybertruck was pulled from Grapevine Lake in Texas after its driver intentionally drove the electric pickup into the water to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode” feature, according to local authorities. The incident resulted in the driver’s arrest and recovery of the partially submerged vehicle.
The event took place at Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp near Grapevine, located roughly 25 miles northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. Authorities said the Cybertruck became disabled shortly after entering the lake and began taking on water, forcing occupants to abandon the vehicle and seek assistance.
TL;DR
- A Tesla Cybertruck became stranded in Grapevine Lake, Texas, after the driver attempted to use “Wade Mode.”
- Police said the driver intentionally entered the lake to test the feature.
- The vehicle became disabled and took on water before being recovered.
- The driver was arrested on multiple violations related to water safety and restricted access.
- Tesla’s manual states Wade Mode is designed only for shallow water crossings up to roughly 32 inches deep.
According to the Grapevine Police Department, the driver admitted he intentionally drove into the lake to test the Cybertruck’s Wade Mode functionality. Authorities added that the area where the incident occurred was a restricted section of the park and lake.
Police later arrested the driver on charges related to operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake, along with several water safety equipment violations. Some reports also stated the driver lacked valid boat registration documentation tied to the attempted water operation.
Images and videos shared online showed the silver Cybertruck partially submerged near the shoreline before recovery crews arrived with specialized equipment to remove the vehicle from the water. Witness footage rapidly spread across social media platforms, further amplifying public discussion around the incident.
Tesla’s Cybertruck owner manual explains that Wade Mode is designed to help drivers traverse shallow bodies of water such as rivers or creeks. When activated, the system raises the vehicle to its “Very High” suspension setting and temporarily pressurizes the battery pack to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion.
However, Tesla also clearly notes several limitations. The company states that Wade Mode supports water depths of approximately 32 inches and should only be used at low speeds between 1 mph and 3 mph. The manual additionally warns drivers that it is their responsibility to assess water depth and terrain conditions before entering any body of water, cautioning that muddy or soft underwater surfaces may cause the vehicle to sink or become immobilized.
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The incident has revived online attention around earlier comments made by Elon Musk regarding the Cybertruck’s potential water capabilities. In 2022, Musk stated on social media that the Cybertruck would be “waterproof enough” to briefly function like a boat and cross rivers, lakes, and calm seas. While the remarks generated excitement among Tesla enthusiasts, the production Cybertruck was never officially marketed as an amphibious vehicle.
The Cybertruck remains one of Tesla’s most recognizable and controversial products since entering production in late 2023. Built at Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas facility, the vehicle features an angular stainless-steel design and advanced off-road technology aimed at competing with traditional pickup trucks and electric rivals such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T.
Despite strong initial interest, the Cybertruck has also faced criticism over quality concerns, recalls, and reliability issues since launch. Analysts and industry observers continue debating whether the vehicle’s unconventional design and feature set help or hinder Tesla’s broader EV strategy.
