Tesla has announced a significant recall affecting nearly all of its innovative Cybertrucks, following the discovery of a serious issue with an exterior trim panel that can detach and pose dangerous driving conditions. This recall marks the eighth for the Cybertruck model, underscoring ongoing challenges with its reliability since its introduction.
The recall involves approximately 46,000 Cybertrucks produced between November 13, 2023, and February 27, 2024. Tesla's report, submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), indicates that while only about 1 percent of the vehicles are found to be defective, the company is opting to recall all units as a precautionary measure.
As reported on March 14, Tesla identified 151 warranty claims potentially linked to the trim panel defect. However, the company reassured customers that it is “not aware of any collisions, fatalities, or injuries” associated with this condition. This proactive stance aims to mitigate any risks to drivers and passengers.
The current recall is one of the largest in the brief and occasionally troubled history of the Cybertruck. Previous concerns have included a loss of drive power, malfunctioning front-windshield wipers, and issues with the accelerator pedal getting stuck. Such problems have raised questions about the overall reliability of the Cybertruck, which retails between $80,000 and $100,000, depending on customization options.
Tesla has advised owners to continue driving their Cybertrucks until they receive further communication from the company regarding service appointments. This will occur once replacement parts become available in their respective regions. Tesla first became aware of the potential issue on January 7, when reports of a “partial delamination” of the stainless steel panel surfaced.
The component in question, known as the cant rail, is an electrocoated steel stamping bonded to a stainless steel panel using an adhesive. For affected vehicles, the panel may detach at the adhesive joint, leading to the safety concerns prompting this recall.
This recall reflects Tesla's commitment to ensuring the safety of its vehicles, even amidst challenges. Owners of affected Cybertrucks are encouraged to stay informed and follow Tesla's guidance to ensure their vehicles remain safe to drive.
