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A Tesla Model Y owner in Istanbul reported that the vehicle’s glass roof cracked on Monday after a minor impact, adding to previous complaints from drivers who said the panoramic design had fractured either spontaneously or under minimal force.
The latest case occurred when a 7-year-old child, identified as Toprak, accidentally hit his head on the roof while playing inside the vehicle. The family told Türkiye Daily that the child was unharmed but expressed alarm at how easily the glass broke. "We were very scared and first checked if our child was hurt. Thankfully he was fine, but we were shocked that the glass could crack so easily," the family said.
The Model Y, known for its full-glass roof, has been the subject of recurring complaints from Tesla owners worldwide. Some drivers reported cracks without any collision or external factor, while others said the roof fractured after relatively small impacts. These reports have fueled debate among consumers about the safety and reliability of Tesla’s design.
Images of the cracked glass in Türkiye circulated widely on social media, with users questioning Tesla’s claims of durability. Some joked that "even the strongest technology cannot withstand a child’s energy."
Tesla recently defended the strength of its glass roof in a publication, saying the design is not only aesthetic but also a key safety feature. The company noted that in tests conducted by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Model Y’s roof resisted more than four times the vehicle’s weight—over 19,000 pounds (approximately 8.6 tons)—without compromising cabin integrity.
"Roof strength is a key part of rollover protection," Tesla stated, adding that the panoramic roofs are engineered to protect passengers from external impacts. "As we continue to advance our vehicle safety technologies, keeping all occupants safe remains our first priority."
Despite Tesla’s assurances, the latest incident in Türkiye has reignited debate over the company’s safety claims and the reliability of its signature glass roof feature. With more users reporting similar problems, concerns about durability continue to overshadow Tesla’s marketing emphasis on innovation and design.
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