Tesla has announced the recall of approximately 46,096 Cybertruck vehicles in the United States, primarily due to a safety issue involving an exterior panel that may detach while driving. This recall affects nearly all Cybertrucks manufactured between November 2023 and February 27, 2025, marking the latest in a series of recalls for Tesla's electric pickup.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified that the stainless-steel cant rail, an exterior trim panel, poses a risk of detachment. If this panel separates while the vehicle is in motion, it could create a road hazard and increase the likelihood of an accident. Tesla plans to replace the affected rail panel assembly at no cost to the owners, utilizing a more durable adhesive to ensure safety and compliance with testing standards.
This incident comes at a challenging time for Tesla, which has seen its stock price decline by approximately 50% this year due to intensifying competition, an aging product lineup, and criticism of CEO Elon Musk's leadership decisions. Analysts indicate that the recalled vehicles constitute a significant majority of Cybertrucks on the road, although Tesla does not publicly disclose specific delivery figures for this model.
Tesla has received 151 warranty claims related to this issue but reports no associated accidents or injuries. Notifications to affected Cybertruck owners are expected to be sent by May 19. Notably, Tesla accounted for a significant portion of vehicle recalls in the U.S. in 2024, with its vehicles comprising about 21% of all recalls while holding a market share of approximately 4.2% in car sales during 2023.