Tesla cybertruck recalls have made news headlines recently, but how many have there been in the EV's short history?
Tesla Cybertrucks Recalled Again! Why Does This Keep Happening?
Updated on Nov. 15, 2024
The Tesla Cybertruck, with its eye-catching design and big promises, has been a favorite among electric vehicle fans since it was first revealed in 2019 and then delivered to its first customers in November 2023. But like any new vehicle, the launch of the Cybertruck hasn’t been without its challenges. In fact, it’s faced five recalls so far.
Though recalls on new cars are not unheard of in the auto industry, Tesla tends to grab more headlines because of its massive fan base and vocal critics. Here’s a brief history of the Tesla Cybertruck’s recalls.
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January 2024: Instrumental Panel
In its first recall, Tesla addressed a significant safety concern involving nearly all its vehicles, including the Cybertruck. The issue centered on the instrumental panel, where key warning lights—specifically the brake, park, and antilock brake indicators—were deemed too small and difficult to read. This posed a risk of drivers missing critical alerts, prompting Tesla to initiate a recall to correct the visibility of these lights.
April: Faulty Accelerator Pedal
Tesla issued another recall a few months later due to a faulty accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal was found to be prone to dislodging or coming loose when subjected to high force. This defect created a serious safety hazard, as it could impair a driver’s ability to control the vehicle’s speed, potentially leading to accidents. Tesla worked on addressing this issue by ensuring proper reinforcement of the accelerator pedal.
June: Trim Pieces
Tesla faced two recalls in June, the first involving trim pieces on the Cybertruck. If detached, the trim could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of injury or collisions with other vehicles on the road. The risk prompted Tesla to take swift action to recall the cars to reinforce or replace the trim parts.
June: Windshield Wiper Motor
The second recall in June was related to the front windshield wiper motor. Tesla discovered that the motor was prone to failure due to electrical overstress, which could result in the wipers stopping mid-operation. This posed a serious safety issue, especially in inclement weather, where visibility was crucial. Tesla recalled affected vehicles to replace or repair the faulty motors.
September: Backup Camera Feed
The Cybertruck’s fifth recall focused on a software issue that led to the loss of the backup camera feed. Tesla’s vehicles rely heavily on technology, and this recall was aimed at updating the vehicle firmware to ensure the backup camera feed functioned correctly. Loss of this feature could increase the risk of collisions while reversing, as drivers depend on it for enhanced visibility.
November: Loss of Drive Power Risk
The latest Cybertruck recall concerns a loss of drive power to the wheels due to a faulty drive inverter. This defect could cause the driver to lose the ability to apply torque to the car using the accelerator pedal, making the car slow down and increasing the risk of a collision (though Tesla is currently unaware of any collisions or injuries that occurred in connection to this recall).
This recall impacts roughly 2,400 Cybertrucks produced between Nov. 6, 2023, and July 30, 2024. If your truck is impacted by the recall, beginning on or shortly after Dec. 9, 2024, Tesla will replace your drive inverter for free.
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