Tesla has issued its eighth recall for the Cybertruck model due to an exterior trim panel that is falling off, creating hazardous driving conditions. The affected vehicles were manufactured between Nov. 13, 2023, and Feb. 27.
According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only about 1% of the electric vehicles from this model are defective, but Tesla has decided to recall all affected vehicles as a precaution. So far, 151 warranty claims have been identified related to the trim panel issue, but no collisions, fatalities, or injuries have been reported.
The recall is the largest one for Cybertrucks, marking a significant setback for the model that has faced numerous issues since its release, including losing drive power, front-windshield wiper malfunctioning, and an accelerator pedal getting stuck. The affected vehicles will remain in service until Tesla contacts them for a service appointment when parts become available.
The issue is caused by a “partial delamination” of the stainless steel panel on the cant rail, which becomes unstuck at the adhesive joint. If the panel separates while driving, it could create a road hazard and increase the risk of injury or collision.
Tesla has fixed the issue by applying a new adhesive that is less prone to environmental embrittlement, reinforced with a stud welded to the panel. Cybertrucks still in production will be updated, and new vehicles will start production on March 21 with the fix already in place.
This recall comes as Tesla faces increased competition from other electric vehicle makers and recent setbacks, including a stock price loss of nearly half its value this year due to Elon Musk’s politics and actions.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/business/tesla-cybertruck-recall.html