Why Did Tesla Stock Fall Today?

Key Points A disappointing Cybercab reveal and a new federal safety probe combined to send Tesla shares down 6% on Sept. 4, 2026. NHTSA opened an audit into how Tesla self-certified the Cybercab without a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors -- standard equipment that the vehicle is exempting from. Tesla's stock trades near a 320-plus P/E, a valuation that depends on future technology bets whose timelines keep slipping. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares fell 6% on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, after its Cybercab launch event failed to impress investors and federal regulators opened a safety audit. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both dropped, losing 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue » Tesla's Cybercab event left pricing and production questions unanswered before NHTSA opened a safety audit On Thursday, Tesla held its much-anticipated Cybercab launch event. However, the event left investors wanting more. CEO Elon Musk wasn't there, and attendance was limited to just a small group of shareholders and content creators under nondisclosure agreements. Tesla usually likes to livestream its events. It did not stream this one. Even more concerning to many investors, the company offered no real tangible details and, as RBC Capital Markets put it, left "key outstanding questions around pricing, production cadence, and regulatory approvals" unanswered. Image source: Getty Images. That last one is a present concern: on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it had opened an audit query into how Tesla self-certified the Cybercab and why it decided normal safety standards don't apply to the vehicle, like those that require a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors. Tesla trades at a P/E above 320, pricing in unproven businesses Tesla's stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of more than 320 -- an extreme figure. That valuation rests mostly on new technologies and business lines that are still in development and are far from slam-dunks. Timelines constantly get pushed, and promised futures never quite arrive. I would avoid the stock . Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $593,259 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $62,608 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $445,833 !* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor , and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See the 3 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of September 4, 2026. Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

A disappointing Cybercab reveal and a new federal safety probe combined to send Tesla shares down 6% on Sept. 4, 2026.

NHTSA opened an audit into how Tesla self-certified the Cybercab without a steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors -- standard equipment that the vehicle is exempting from.

Tesla's stock trades near a 320-plus P/E, a valuation that depends on future technology bets whose timelines keep slipping.

Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares fell 6% on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, after its Cybercab launch event failed to impress investors and federal regulators opened a safety audit.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both dropped, losing 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively.

Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »

On Thursday, Tesla held its much-anticipated Cybercab launch event. However, the event left investors wanting more. CEO Elon Musk wasn't there, and attendance was limited to just a small group of shareholders and content creators under nondisclosure agreements. Tesla usually likes to livestream its events. It did not stream this one.