A Tesla Cybertruck owner found himself stranded after believing Elon Musk’s assurance that the electric pickup could “act as a boat” and cross rivers, leading to his $100,000 vehicle getting stuck.

Elon Musk has often made bold claims about Tesla vehicles having the ability to float and briefly function as boats. These statements have usually been treated with scepticism, as Tesla’s official warranty outlines different guidance when it comes to driving into water.

One Cybertruck owner in Truckee, California attempted to drive the vehicle into a body of water, only to end up getting stuck.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) later posted images of the incident on Facebook, showing the vehicle in the water. It remains unclear whether the Cybertruck sustained any damage during the mishap. 

The post read, “Cybertruck activated “Wade Mode”… and waded a bit too far…. We’re all for testing boundaries… but maybe not the waterline. Remember folks, “Wade Mode” isn’t “Submarine Mode.” If your plans include exploring the great outdoors, make sure to know your limits and the terrain”. 

Users took to the comments section to express their thoughts, with one user pointing out, “It still has the paper dealer plates too. Didn’t waste any time testing out its inabilities.” Another wrote, “Can't use a tow truck as it would pull the whole thing apart”. 

Musk has elaborated that the ultimate aim was for the Cybertruck to navigate across the stretch of water separating SpaceX’s Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas, a distance of around 360 metres (1,100 feet).

Tesla's efforts to improve the Cybertruck’s aquatic capabilities included building a special 'wade mode'. This feature reportedly raises the ride height to its maximum level and temporarily pressurises the battery pack, theoretically allowing it to handle short trips through water.

The challenge, however, lies in the fact that this wade mode is linked to the off-road driving settings. Since Tesla’s warranty does not cover damages sustained during off-road use, owners have been urged to exercise caution and not take Musk’s statements at face value.