Sam Altman’s Tesla Roadster Refund Saga: A $50,000 Deposit Stuck in Limbo

The much-hyped Tesla Roadster, first announced in 2017 with promises of being the “fastest production car ever made,” remains elusive. Years past its initial expected delivery, many early reservation holders are growing impatient, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. His recent attempt to cancel his order and reclaim his substantial $50,000 deposit has, so far, hit a roadblock.

Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to document his frustrating experience, dubbing it “a tale of three acts.” The series of screenshots revealed his July 2018 reservation confirmation for $45,000, followed by an email he sent yesterday requesting a $50,000 refund from Tesla. The third and final image showed the email bouncing back, indicating a failure to deliver.

For those curious about the deposit amount, securing a Tesla Roadster reservation initially required a $5,000 payment at checkout, with an additional $45,000 due within ten days, totaling $50,000. Interestingly, some reports suggest that customers who have successfully canceled their orders have only received a $45,000 refund.

Here’s Altman’s post:

a tale in three acts: pic.twitter.com/ClRZBgT24g

— Sam Altman (@sama) October 30, 2025

When Elon Musk unveiled the $200,000 Roadster in 2017, the specifications were nothing short of extraordinary: 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, 0 to 100 mph in 4.2 seconds, and a top speed exceeding 250 mph. The excitement surrounding the vehicle intensified with early glimpses of its performance, including a notable feature by car enthusiast and comedian Jay Leno.

Missed Deadlines and Prototypes

The original target for the Roadster’s arrival was 2020. However, like many of Musk’s ambitious timelines, this proved to be overly optimistic. In 2021, amidst global supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, Musk adjusted expectations, suggesting a possible 2023 shipment. This deadline also passed without the Roadster seeing the light of day. Most recently, in 2024, Musk announced plans for a new prototype unveiling by year-end (which didn’t happen), with production slated to commence in 2025.

Altman’s public dissatisfaction isn’t entirely unexpected, given his well-documented and ongoing feud with Elon Musk. This rivalry intensified in 2024 when Musk initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, alleging a breach of the company’s foundational nonprofit charter by prioritizing profits. OpenAI subsequently countered by releasing Musk’s past emails, which seemingly indicated his support for such a transition. The legal battles continued with Musk also suing OpenAI and Apple over alleged antitrust collusion, and OpenAI countersuing Musk this year for what they describe as a “pattern of harassment.”

As the wait for the Tesla Roadster continues, Sam Altman’s experience highlights the growing frustration among those who have committed significant deposits years ago, still awaiting delivery of their futuristic electric vehicle.