Tesla recalls almost all Cybertrucks in US in latest setback
Tesla has recalled almost all the Cybetrucks sold in the US in the latest set back for Elon Musk’s electric car company.
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Tesla has recalled almost all Cybertrucks sold in the US after the wrong type of glue was used on an exterior panel which could detach while driving.
Elon Musk’s electric car company has said over 46,000 of the striking looking vehicles would have to be repaired because of the defect which can lead an exterior panel to detach, increasing the risk of a crash, according to a safety notice.
The move is due to a part Tesla calls a “cant rail” – an exterior panel – that was affixed with an adhesive “susceptible to environmental embrittlement,” according to a company filing on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
Detachment of the part, which Tesla describes as “cosmetic,” poses the risk of creating a “road hazard for following motorists and increase their risk of injury or a collision,” according to the NHTSA document.
It is the eighth recall of the Cybertruck since it was launched less than two years ago.
As of March 14, Tesla had 151 warranty claims that may be related to the condition. The company said it knows of no accidents.
Tesla’s eye-catching ute has not been delivered to Australian customers, as every example made so far has been left-hand-drive. But the company has taken plenty of deposits from Aussie fans keen to take home Mr Musk’s vision for the perfect pick-up truck.
Tesla has imported a handful of examples to promote the brand, and will display it in Victoria for the first time at next month’s Melbourne Motor Show.
Latest setback for Tesla
The recall comes as the brand encounters consumer blowback in the wake of Mr Musk’s key advisory role in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Demand for the Cybertruck and other Tesla vehicles has tumbled in recent weeks in many consumer markets as Mr Musk presses on with deep cuts in US government departments and staffing through his Department of Government Efficiency.
Tesla’s shares have plummeted nearly 42 per cent so far this year.
Meanwhile, multiple Tesla vehicles were set alight and fired upon at a dealership in Las Vegas earlier this week.
On Tuesday, a man used molotov cocktails and a gun to damage at least five Teslas.
Local media reported the word “resist” was also painted on the door of the dealership.
“This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility,” Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren told local media following the incident.
Mr Musk himself condemned the attack with a post on his social media platform, X.
“This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong,” he said.
“Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.”
Originally published as Tesla recalls almost all Cybertrucks in US in latest setback
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