Tesla is recalling nearly all Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to an issue with an exterior panel that could come loose while driving, marking the latest recall for the electric pickup.
The recall affects just over 46,000 vehicles manufactured between November 2023 and February 27 of this year, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday.
This recall may present a challenge for Tesla, which has seen its stock value drop by nearly half this year as the company faces growing competition, an aging vehicle lineup, and criticism of CEO Elon Musk’s controversial involvement in overseeing federal spending cuts during the Trump administration.
Tesla is recalling a large number of Cybertrucks due to a potential issue where a stainless-steel exterior trim panel could detach while driving, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of accidents. To address this, Tesla will replace the affected rail panel assemblies with new ones that meet durability standards.
On February 21, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) informed Tesla of an incident involving a vehicle owner who reported a detached rail panel.
Tesla explained that a loose rail panel might produce a noticeable noise inside the cabin or could be visibly seen separating from the vehicle.
While the company is aware of 151 warranty claims potentially linked to this issue, no accidents or injuries have been reported.
Although Tesla does not separate Cybertruck delivery numbers, the recalled vehicles represent the majority of Cybertrucks on the road, based on estimates from analysts.
Demand for the unique electric pickup had already shown signs of slowing down toward the end of last year. In premarket trading, Tesla’s stock dropped by 1.4%.
Tesla shares, which saw a boost after the election due to CEO Elon Musk’s ties with President Donald Trump, have dropped by nearly 42% this year.
Analysts have pointed to a shift in sentiment towards Tesla, with some existing customers and potential buyers expressing dissatisfaction. Protests at Tesla stores and calls for sales boycotts have emerged across the U.S.
Tesla leads the U.S. in vehicle recalls, with the company accounting for 5.1 million of the 2024 recalls, according to recall management firm BizzyCar. However, most of these issues were resolved through over-the-air software updates.
