Tesla has commenced recalling 46,096 Cybertruck vehicles in the US to repair an exterior panel, prone to detaching while driving, resulting in a series of call-backs for the pickup truck since last year.
This is believed to cause a setback for Tesla, given Cybertruck’s success adding to its growth, while it juggles with rising competition and an aging lineup while consumers, faced with high borrowing costs, choose less expensive hybrids.
The issue related to a stainless-steel exterior trim panel detaching from the vehicle is anticipated to cause a road hazard, which might lead to a crash, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) notice on the recalls.
As a remedy, Tesla’s service is said to replace the rail assembly free of charge.
While it is believed that Tesla does not break out deliveries of its Cybertrucks, the recalled vehicles might pose a vast majority of the pickups on the road based on analyst estimates of total Cybertruck deliveries.
Demand for the unconventional EV pickup is observed to have shown signs of weakness toward the end of last year, following several delays.
Shares of the EV maker fell close to two percent in premarket trading.
Tesla shares, initially boosted post-election due to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship with US President Donald Trump, have fallen nearly 42 percent this year amid a sluggish EV market and concerns over Musk’s role in the government potentially distracting from leading his companies.
Analysts have pointed to a change in sentiment toward the EV maker from existing customers and potential new buyers, as reactions toward the brand such as protests at Tesla stores across the US and sales boycotts emerge.
Tesla - led by billionaire Musk who is also leading efforts to shrink the government as senior adviser for President Trump - accounts for a large portion of recalled vehicles in the US.
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In 2024, Tesla topped the list for U.S. recalls with its vehicles accounting for 5.1 million call-backs, according to recall management firm BizzyCar. However, most issues for the brand’s cars were usually resolved with over-the-air software updates.