Tesla is recalling just over 46,000 Cybertruck electric vehicles manufactured in the last 15 months. Nearly all Cybertrucks currently on U.S. roads are being called back to address a potential issue with an exterior panel that could detach while driving.
This recall, affecting 46,096 vehicles produced between November 2023 and last monyh, is the latest in a series of setbacks for the innovative vehicle.
According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday, the recall centers around a stainless-steel exterior trim panel that may become loose and detach. This poses a significant road hazard and increases the risk of accidents. Tesla’s solution involves replacing the affected rail panel assembly with a redesigned version that meets enhanced durability standards.
The issue came to the NHTSA’s attention on February 21st, following a report from a Cybertruck owner who experienced a rail panel detachment. Tesla has indicated that a detached panel may produce noticeable noise within the cabin or be visually observed loosening or separating. While the company acknowledges 151 warranty claims potentially related to this issue, they report no collisions or injuries have occurred.
This recall represents a substantial portion of the Cybertrucks currently in circulation, based on analyst estimates, as Tesla does not release specific delivery numbers for the model. For Tesla, this setback comes at a challenging time. The company’s stock has experienced a significant decline this year, coinciding with increased competition in the EV market, an aging vehicle lineup, and ongoing scrutiny surrounding CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla will be contacting affected Cybertruck owners to schedule service appointments for the necessary repairs. The company will replace the rail panel assembly free of charge.
