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Do Tesla Model 3 and other Tesla owners have a target on their backs?
Oscar Montes Jr., a Tesla Model 3 owner, shares his personal struggle with aggressive drivers. He sold his Toyota RAV4 and now faces daily road rage since getting his Tesla Model 3.
Imagine Oscar gripping the Tesla Model 3’s steering wheel, a knot tightening in his stomach every time he gets behind the wheel. Another horn blared, a prolonged, angry shout from a Ram truck whose driver is now gesturing wildly.
“Seriously?” Oscar mutters, shaking his head. It’s Tuesday, 8 AM, and he’s only five minutes into his drive to an appointment on Chicago’s congested streets, yet it feels like an hour.
Before Tesla, there was the trusty Toyota RAV4. For years, it had been his invisible chariot, blending seamlessly into traffic. He’d rarely experienced more than a polite honk.
But the Model 3 is now a magnet for aggression.
Drivers cut him off, tailgate relentlessly, and seemed to take personal offense at his car’s silent, electric glide and, more likely, the Tesla emblem on his truck.
Just yesterday, a BMW sedan had swerved dangerously close, forcing him to brake hard.
“Must be the car,” his friend had joked as Oscar told him the story at lunch, “they see Elon Musk’s future and they don’t like it.”
Oscar didn’t find it funny. He missed the anonymity of his RAV4. The sleek, futuristic lines of his Tesla, once a source of pride, now feels like a target painted on his back, turning every Chicago street into a battleground.
Oscar Montes Jr., in a Tesla Model 3 Owners Facebook post, says,
Is anybody else struggling with Road Rage since getting their Model 3?
I don’t care what anybody says! I would never have any road rage or aggressive driving come at me when I was driving a Toyota RAV 4.
Since getting my Model 3, I have to be the bigger person every day and drive away from situations that might escalate into violence.
Every time I’m at a red light, the car next to me has to take off, as if they’re Dom Toretto in Fast & Furious. Cars constantly cut me off; they never let me merge without speeding, so they don’t let me by.
They get next to me and speed up and down, trying to get my attention. When I don’t give it to them, they get in front of me and slow down. Sometimes I’ll change lanes and they’ll do the same thing again.
I’m in sales, so I’m on the road, moving around in Chicago, two to three hours a day. I’m human and tired of letting things go; I’ve been reacting to these lame excuses lately. It just makes the situation worse once you give these narcissists any attention.
Road rage is an American thing mainly because we have fragile egos.
Does anybody else notice this when driving?
Do Tesla Drivers Experience More Road Rage Than Other Drivers?
Reports indicate that Tesla drivers might experience more road rage directed at them rather than exhibiting it themselves.
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According to Yahoo News, there are many instances of Tesla owners being targeted with aggressive driving, heckling, and even vandalism. Some reports suggest this is due to a growing “anti-Elon sentiment.”
However, other data suggests a more nuanced picture.
A study by Lance Surety Bonds found that while 56% of drivers believe certain car brands provoke road rage, with BMW and Tesla being the top two, 22% of EV drivers reported being provoked by gas-powered car drivers just for driving an electric vehicle.
Another source, TheStreet, cites insurance data showing that Tesla drivers had the highest “incident” rate in 2024, including accidents, DUIs, speeding, and citations.
While there’s no definitive proof that Tesla owners experience more road rage themselves than other drivers in 2025, there’s evidence suggesting they may be disproportionately targeted by other drivers, potentially fueling a cycle of frustration on the roads.
A report from Guardian Service says electric cars may be the future, but some Tesla owners say the road has been far bumpier than expected.
Vandalism Does Affect Tesla Owners
“From slashed tires to skyrocketing premiums, new data reveals the hidden risks of driving one of the country’s most talked-about vehicles.”
Guardian Service surveyed over 500 Tesla drivers to explore how vandalism, insurance hikes, and public perception are reshaping the EV ownership experience — especially for younger generations and those in certain U.S. regions.
- Over 2 in 5 Tesla owners (44%) report experiencing intentional damage to their vehicle, such as keying or slashed tires, which costs them an average of $1,900 in repairs.
- 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%).
- Nearly 3 in 4 Tesla owners (72%) believe they’re more likely to be targeted for vandalism than other drivers.
- Over 3 in 5 Tesla owners (61%) report that their insurance premiums have increased by an average of $340 annually, and 53% expect another hike this year.
Conclusion:
Is It Oscar, or Are Other Tesla Drivers Targeted Too?
In the comment section, some Tesla owners feel targeted, but the majority of Tesla Model 3 owners say they don’t have much problem with road rage.
Michael Shepherd – Maybe it’s a Chicago problem? I rarely get any of this if at all.
Jodie Underwood – I get it occasionally in Colorado. Strangely, it has improved lately, despite the increased car keying in response to Elon.
Caleb Brown – It’s more Chicago than the Tesla.
Chris Ediss – Here in California, I drove a Chevy Volt before the Tesla Model 3 Performance, and I can honestly say I experienced the same aggression regardless of which car I drove. That said, we have a lot of Teslas here, and we have a lot of aggressive drivers, so that probably affects the experience.
Here’s What I Think
A driver’s actions, rather than the type of car they drive, are the primary factors influencing their vulnerability to aggressive driving and road rage. So, how you behave behind the wheel, rather than your vehicle choice, can either escalate or de-escalate conflict on the road.
What Say You?
Oscar asks, Does anybody else notice this when driving? I ask, is it the car or the driver? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Tesla Model 3 story: My Tesla Model 3 Passed a Slower Car, Pulled In Front of It, and Slowed Down, the Car Passed Me and Gives Me the Finger, Now, I’m Ready to Cancel FSD
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Oscar Montes Jr.
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Source: torquenews.com
