Former Tesla Engineer Alleges Elon Musk Threatened Deportation Over Brake Safety Concerns

A former Tesla engineer has accused CEO Elon Musk of threatening her team with deportation after they raised concerns about a critical brake safety issue in Tesla’s Model S vehicles.

The Brake Safety Controversy

In 2014, Cristina Balan, a former Tesla engineer, warned Musk that the floor mats in Model S sedans could curl under the pedals, creating a potential braking hazard. According to Balan, she followed Musk’s own directive—outlined in a 2013 company-wide email—urging employees to “talk to me directly” if they believed it was the fastest way to resolve critical issues (Electrek).

Instead of addressing the concern, Balan claims Tesla’s legal team retaliated by threatening to deport her colleagues—who were awaiting green card approvals—unless she resigned immediately. She complied in protest, standing by her team’s decision to escalate the safety issue (The Times of London).

Musk’s Alleged Retaliation and Legal Battle

Balan, who has been battling stage 3 breast cancer, described Musk as a “monster” and “pure evil” in an interview with The Times of London. Her legal fight against Tesla has spanned nearly a decade, stemming from her abrupt termination and subsequent accusations by the company.

After her dismissal, Tesla publicly accused her of embezzling funds for an alleged “secret project”—a claim she vehemently denies. In 2019, she sued Tesla for defamation, but an arbitrator ruled in the company’s favor due to California’s statute of limitations (BBC).

However, in a recent legal victory, Balan won an appeal against the arbitration ruling, reopening her case in a California district court.

“We hope to start a new lawsuit and finally confront Elon Musk in front of a jury,” Balan told the BBC.

A Pattern of Retaliation at Tesla?

Balan’s case is not isolated. Tesla has faced multiple allegations of workplace retaliation, unsafe conditions, and mass layoffs under Musk’s leadership.

• In 2023, Musk abruptly fired Tesla’s 500-member Supercharger team, shocking investors. Reports suggest the team’s former head, Rebecca Tinucci, angered Musk in a private meeting before the dismissals (Business Insider).

• Employees have also reported rampant racism, excessive overtime, and unsafe factory conditions (The Guardian).

Stanford professor Anat Admati told the BBC:

“Tesla, like many corporations, forces employees into opaque arbitration processes and retaliates against whistleblowers.”

What’s Next for Balan’s Legal Fight?

Balan’s attorney, Bill Moran, has vowed to “revive her case”, stating:

“We are confident we can secure either a new arbitration or a trial, ensuring her claims are heard after years of delay.”

Legal experts predict a prolonged battle, but Balan remains determined to hold Musk and Tesla accountable.