From Torque News.

A Tesla Cybertruck owner says he was locked out of his truck after stepping out to chat with someone for a minute. He had his phone inside and the windows open, but the truck locked itself and automatically closed the windows on him.

Reference: A Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says His Truck Locked Itself With His Phone Inside – However, His Son Was Able to Unlock It For Him From 1,2000 Miles Away. https://www.torquenews.com/11826/tesla-cybertruck-owner-says-his-truck-locked-itself-his-phone-inside-however-his-son-was-able

Now, before I add any commentary, I want to fully quote Dave, the Cybertruck owner who shared this experience covered in one of today’s articles at TorqueNews.com by our Tesla reporter Tinsae Aregay, because his words say more than any summary ever could.

“Consider taking your phone if you step out of your truck. I was at a boat ramp Saturday, got out of the truck to chat with someone. I had my windows down and my phone in the truck.

After a minute or so, I heard the lock sound and the windows went up. I guess the Bluetooth disconnected. The truck was in the middle of the lot and in the way.

I do keep a key in my wallet, which was in the truck.

After 20 minutes or so, I tracked down my son, who is an additional driver. He unlocked the truck from 1,200 miles away.”

Let that sink in for a second.

Dave is standing at a boat ramp. His Cybertruck is now locked, windows up, phone inside, key card inside, and the truck is literally blocking the lot. That quiet Tesla lock chime suddenly becomes the most stressful sound imaginable.

This story matters because Tesla phone key reliability is something many Cybertruck owners trust almost blindly. For most of us, the phone key works so well that the physical key card becomes an afterthought. Dave’s experience is a reminder that Bluetooth based systems, no matter how advanced the vehicle is, still have edge cases.

In Dave’s case, it sounds like the phone key Bluetooth connection dropped just long enough for the Cybertruck to decide it should secure itself. Windows up. Doors locked. And no easy way back in.

What saved the day here was Tesla’s ecosystem and shared driver access. Dave had already added his son as an additional driver. From 1,200 miles away, his son opened the Tesla app and unlocked the Cybertruck remotely. That is both impressive and a little unsettling, depending on how you look at it.

Now, Dave isn’t alone. In the comments under the original story, other Cybertruck owners admitted they have run into very similar situations. One comment in particular stood out, because it turns this from a one off story into a pattern.

JR from Texas shared this:

“Learned a long time ago: Always bring your key card. (For the just in case scenarios.)

Once on a road trip, the truck randomly forgot my phone key. Thankfully, Tesla allows you to assign it once you log into your account via your phone, and the truck can connect via cellular.

But I was in a remote town in Tennessee without cell service.

Thankfully, I had my key card on me and was able to unlock the truck and reassign my phone to it. Something you only have to learn once.”

That last line is important. Something you only have to learn once.

So let’s talk about practical takeaways, because this isn’t about Cybertruck bashing. It’s about real world ownership.

First, never underestimate how often Bluetooth connections can hiccup. Interference, distance, phone sleep states, or simply stepping away at the wrong moment can break that connection just long enough to cause problems.

Second, always carry your key card. I know it feels old school. I know it feels unnecessary when phone key works 99 percent of the time. But that one percent can turn a normal stop into a 20 minute ordeal or worse if you are truly stranded.

Third, adding a trusted additional driver is not just a convenience. It can be a backup plan. As Dave’s story shows, having someone else who can unlock your Cybertruck remotely can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and calling roadside assistance.

Fourth, be mindful of remote locations. JR’s comment highlights another layer of risk. If you lose phone key functionality and have no cellular service, app based fixes are off the table. At that point, the physical key card becomes priceless.

This is Armen Hareyan from Torque News. Please follow us at https://twitter.com/torquenewsauto on Twitter and https://www.torquenews.com for daily automotive news. Also, follow us on Telegram at https://t.me/teslaev