Tesla recalls 46,000 Cybertrucks

Tesla has recalled 46,096 Cybertruck electric cars in the US to fix a defect that caused steel cladding on some vehicles to peel or fly off while driving. According to a report submitted to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall applies to all Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023 and February 27, 2025, with the cladding defect estimated to affect about one percent of the affected vehicles.

This is the eighth recall for Cybertrucks since they went on sale in December 2023. A similar recall was issued last summer for a defect in the truck's floor covering, which also had the potential to come loose and cause a crash. The latest issue was reported directly to NHTSA by several Cybertruck owners.

Cybertruck deliveries have already been halted due to the reports. The NHTSA notice states that the defect affects the Cybertruck's side rail, which is described as a "cosmetic feature along the exterior of the vehicle" and is attached only with adhesive that has been found to be "susceptible to brittleness due to environmental factors."

The recall notice states that 151 warranty claims have been identified as of March 14. Tesla says it is not aware of any crashes, fatalities or injuries, but the report warns that the panel could “cause a hazard on the road for other drivers and increase the risk of injury or collision.”

Tesla says that they will replace the panel in the recalled vehicles free of charge, using new adhesive and screwing the panel to the vehicle.

The recall of the vehicles comes at an extremely inopportune time for the company and Elon Musk. We have been watching the company's stock curve plummet for some time now, and the latest recall will only deepen the company's crisis.