Tesla has announced a recall of nearly 46,100 Cybertruck vehicles due to a potential hazard associated with an exterior trim panel. According to a report from the electric vehicle manufacturer, there is a possibility that a cant rail panel could detach from the affected vehicles if it delaminates. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that a dislodged cant rail could become a road hazard, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
This recall may pose a challenge for Tesla, which is already facing difficulties such as increased competition, an aging product lineup, and criticism of CEO Elon Musk’s role related to federal spending cuts during the Trump administration. Tesla’s stock has already seen a significant decline this year, losing about half of its value.
The NHTSA recall report noted that while there have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities due to detached cant rails, Tesla has received over 151 warranty claims possibly linked to this issue as of mid-March. The Cybertrucks under recall were manufactured between mid-November 2023 and late February of the current year. Analysts estimate that these recalled vehicles represent the majority of Cybertruck units currently in operation.
Tesla has committed to replacing the cant rails on the affected Cybertrucks at no cost to the customers. The new cant rail design uses a different structural adhesive to prevent embrittlement and includes additional reinforcement measures. The replacement process is anticipated to take about one hour, and customers will be contacted to schedule a service appointment once the parts are available.
Tesla has been prominent in vehicle recalls within the U.S., with the company leading the recall list in 2024, accounting for 5.1 million callbacks. However, many of these issues were resolved through over-the-air software updates. In addition to the Cybertruck, Tesla’s vehicle lineup includes the Model S, Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and electric semi-trucks. The Cybertruck was first launched in the market in November 2023.
