Tesla owners are facing a concerning issue with the latest 2024.20.1 software update, as Dog Mode, a feature designed to ensure the safety and comfort of pets left in parked vehicles, is reportedly malfunctioning. This bug poses a serious risk, particularly in hot weather, potentially endangering pets left inside Tesla vehicles.
Dog Mode, a feature activated through the car’s touchscreen, is intended to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature and display a message on the screen indicating that the pet is safe and the owner will return soon. This feature also allows owners to monitor and adjust the interior temperature remotely using the Tesla mobile app, as well as check on their pets via the interior cabin camera.
Despite the appearance of normal operationāowners report being able to activate Dog Mode and see the appropriate messaging on the screenāthe cabin temperature is not being properly maintained after they leave the vehicle. In hot weather, this can lead to dangerously high temperatures inside the car in a short amount of time, putting pets at risk of heat-related illnesses or even death.
Tesla has acknowledged the issue, referring to it as a “known characteristic of current firmware.” The company is actively working on a fix, but there is no timeline for when it will be available to Tesla owners.
In light of this issue, owners are advised not to rely on Dog Mode until the bug is fixed. Instead, it is recommended to leave pets at home or, if necessary to bring them in the car, to take them along when leaving the vehicle.
