Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, has announced several recalls affecting over 11,000 of its Cybertruck electric pickup trucks due to various safety concerns.
- Windshield Wiper Motor Failure:
- Issue: The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that excessive electrical current could cause the front windshield wiper motor controller to fail, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Solution: Tesla’s service team will replace the wiper motor for affected vehicles free of charge.
- Trunk Bed Trim Problem:
- Issue: A separate notice from the NHTSA indicated that improperly attached trim in the trunk bed could become loose, creating a road hazard for other motorists.
- Solution: Tesla will apply an adhesion promoter and pressure-sensitive tape or replace the missing trim at no cost to the owners.
- Accelerator Pedal Pad Issue:
- Background: In April, Tesla recalled nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks due to an accelerator pedal pad that could come loose and get lodged in the interior trim, potentially causing unintended acceleration.
- Solution: Tesla offered to rework or replace the accelerator pedal assembly for free.
These recalls are part of the ongoing challenges Tesla faces with the Cybertruck, which began deliveries in November 2023 after years of delay. The vehicle’s mass production is expected to start next year, but these issues have added to the difficulties in its production ramp-up.
In the first quarter of this year, Tesla had three recalls affecting approximately 2.4 million vehicles, including 2.2 million in the United States due to an incorrect font size on warning lights. While many Tesla recall issues are usually resolved through over-the-air software updates, the latest problems require physical repairs.
Tesla has yet to disclose the exact number of Cybertrucks delivered to consumers in its quarterly deliveries and production report. Despite these setbacks, the company continues to address safety issues to ensure vehicle reliability and consumer safety.