The Tesla Cybertruck is hitting some rough patches as it faces multiple recalls, raising eyebrows about its reliability and safety features. The highly anticipated electric truck, which began deliveries about one year ago, was intended to revamp Tesla's aging lineup during a time of shifting interest toward electric vehicles. Yet, with its recent flaws, it faces scrutiny from both consumers and investors.
On Wednesday, Tesla announced the recall of 2,400 Cybertrucks due to issues with the driver inverter, which could lead to power loss when the driver presses the accelerator. This problem could potentially increase the risk of crashes, adding to the truck's mounting woes as it marked its sixth recall this year. The filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated the vehicle may stop generating torque unexpectedly, which would halt propulsion and create hazardous driving conditions.
The company stated they would replace the faulty component starting December 9, which they have already been using for vehicles built after July 30. While they reported awareness of five warranty claims related to this issue, they also noted there have been no crashes or injuries directly linked to it.
This follows several other significant recalls earlier this year. Just last month, over 27,000 Cybertrucks were recalled due to delayed rear-view camera images. Back in April, Tesla recalled the Cybertruck to address loose accelerator pedal pads, and again in June for concerns related to windshield wipers and trim. These issues have culminated from what was initially thought to be hopes of innovation and excitement to concerns about quality and performance.
The Cybertruck's design also falls under scrutiny due to its unusual stainless steel body, which has proven problematic. First-time owners have reported challenges ranging from stickers leaving unwanted residues to unsightly blemishes on the truck's exterior, leading to frustrations about maintenance and appearance.
User resale values for the Cybertruck have plummeted as well, signaling diminished enthusiasm. Prices on platforms like Bring A Trailer show vehicles selling for far less than the original MSRP, with evidenced steep declines after just several months on the road. For example, one owner disposed of their Foundation Series Cybertruck, purchased only three months prior, for $83,000—considerably lower than its priced MSRP of around $100,000.
The Cybertruck's market performance echoes dissatisfaction, echoed by comparisons to potential investments like MAGA hats. It seems the once-hyped truck is now symbolizing not just innovation, but the pitfalls of overpromising and under-delivering. A stark decline from previous heights—where one Florida dealership paid over $244,000 for one truck—has become evident.
Separately, independent safety tests conducted on the Cybertruck confirm these concerns. YouTuber Chris, who runs the channel Dirty Tesla, conducted evaluations of the truck’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, and the results were alarming. Tests showed the Cybertruck failed to detect both moving and stationary objects like mannequins and small items on the road. During one set of tests conducted at speeds between 20-30 mph, the Cybertruck almost ran over a mannequin, producing no alarms or stops. The driver had to intervene to avoid collision, which raises serious questions about the FSD technology often marketed as almost autonomous.
This feature, clearly lacking reliability, continues to be labeled misleadingly as self-driving when it is more accurately defined as Level 2 advanced driver assistance, which requires human supervision at all times.
What Does This Mean For Tesla?
Despite these stumbling blocks, Tesla fans remain vocal supporters. Many argue the issues can be fixed and point to Tesla's previous success with software updates to address problems post-sale. Yet the hurdles faced during the Cybertruck’s rollout could hinder broader acceptance and market penetration. With competition ramping up from other electric vehicle manufacturers, it becomes increasingly important for Tesla to address its flaws without piling on new issues.
Experts are closely monitoring this situation. The troubles with FSD come on the heels of increased scrutiny from various regulatory bodies, already investigating Tesla over crashes and the performance of its self-driving claims. The future of the Cybertruck—and possibly Tesla's broader reputation—may rest heavily on how rapidly and effectively the company can respond to these pressing concerns.
Consumers will be watching closely as they weigh their options. With other offerings now gaining traction, from Rivian's R1T to Ford's F-150 Lightning, the Cybertruck will need to prove it can safely deliver on the features it promised. Only time will tell if it can bounce back from this hard fall.
The road for the Cybertruck remains littered with challenges, but if Tesla can navigate through these setbacks, there may still be hope for this futuristic truck to rise again—after all, innovation often finds its way among the bumps and bruises of development.
