Early adopters of the Tesla Cybertruck are sharing their unique experiences, highlighting design flaws and performance issues, particularly under challenging weather conditions. Among those sharing their thoughts is Brock Nanson, who recently took his brand new Cybertruck out for its first snowy drive.
Nanson, hailing from Canada, was shocked by the vehicle’s shortcomings as he navigated through the snow. He stated, “Well, I had my first night drive in the snow tonight. Admittedly, it is probably the worst combination of conditions.” His main concern revolved around the light bar on the truck’s hood, which he described as ineffective. Instead of illuminating the road, the light bar reflected off the falling snow, impairing visibility drastically. “...the Cybertruck can get stuck off road in 2.6 seconds. Faster than any truck on earth,” he lamented.
Continuing his assessment, Nanson noted, “The first problem, which I considered to be a complete fail... is the light bar across the front of the frunk. It’s a giant frosted bulb.” He argued it created more issues than it solved, especially since it was not effective at focusing light where it was most needed. Nanson’s ordeal included having to stop frequently to wipe off snow collected on the actual headlights to restore proper function.
Another Cybertruck owner, who goes by the nickname Cybertruck 1974, encountered surprisingly different challenges. While addressing minor damage to his vehicle, he discovered grass growing inside one of the Cybertruck’s components. “Okay, something hit my rear driver’s side deflector... I noticed... the protective cover was full of water and dirt — along with grass growing in it!” he shared, along with images documenting his find.
According to his report, water and dirt had accumulated to such levels within the deflectors, it had created conditions ripe for plant growth. He proceeded to explain the labor-intensive process required to fix the issue: “To remove them, you need to take off the rear tire, remove half of the wheel well cover clips.” It’s not just the inconvenience but the complexity of repairs. His recommendation? “I recommend drilling small holes... to prevent the accumulation of dirt and water.”
The Cybertruck community responded, with some owners echoing similar frustrations. They reported witnessing unusual occurrences, like one user who found ants living inside their vehicle. While many of these incidents have not been well-documented, they paint a picture of the trials faced by some Cybertruck owners.
The terrain isn’t just limited to personal accounts; videos shared online show Cybertrucks struggling even with minor slopes. One video depicted the truck caught on such a slope, with its wheels spinning helplessly as it was towed by another truck. Commentators were quick to capitalize on this incident, with one joking, “You got it backwards bud. The Cyberbeast just caught its prey and is about to pull it in for the kill.” Others defended the Cybertruck, attributing the struggle to software bugs rather than design flaws.
This mixed response highlights the growing pains of Tesla’s early adopters, who often find themselves defending their purchases against public skepticism. Some of the community's criticism may arise from differing expectations. as fellow Cybertruck owner Doug Lukinuk noted, he faced similar snowy conditions but felt confident driving through them. “The Cybertruck works fantastic. Some people are just very picky,” he asserted.
While undeniably passionate, there are those who blame the design independently. Brock expressed discontent at the hefty price tag of his vehicle, pointing out, “I expected more, especially at this price point.” For him, the inadequacies during his snowy drive made it clear—especially when comparing it to his previous Tesla model—which performed flawlessly under similar conditions.
The Cybertruck, advertised as being ‘built for any adventure,’ is now facing criticisms for not performing as claimed. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously highlighted the vehicle’s towing capacity and off-road prowess, building up anticipation among prospective owners. Yet, with evidence of failures surfacing, skeptics question if the brand can deliver on its promises.
This mixed bag of experiences may serve as both caution and encouragement for potential buyers as they contemplate entering Tesla's latest venture. Whether exploring the challenges of vegetation growth within components or braving harsh winter weather on the roads, one thing is clear: the Cybertruck's early adopters are learning to navigate the bumpy road of innovation.