Tesla Owner’s New Car Triggers Safety System After Dog Contact Within 5 Hours—Repair Bill Soars to $2,400

Recently, a Tesla Model Y owner posted online that less than five hours after taking delivery of the vehicle, a Border Collie suddenly darted into the road during driving. Although no significant vehicle damage occurred, the car’s pedestrian protection system was triggered, causing the rear portion of the front hood to pop up and a fault warning to appear. The estimated repair cost amounted to RMB 17,000. The owner stated they would either file an insurance claim or seek compensation from the dog’s owner, and if negotiations fail, they would pursue legal action. It is reported that all Tesla S3XY models come standard with this pedestrian protection system, which lifts the hood to create a cushioning zone during collisions at speeds between 30–52 km/h to protect pedestrians—though occasional false triggers have been reported. Many netizens have shared similar experiences, such as the system activating when driving over speed bumps, leading to increased insurance premiums.