Tesla is recalling nearly all of its Cybertrucks in the United States due to a potential safety issue where an exterior panel could detach while driving. The company announced on Thursday that the recall affects over 46,000 vehicles built from November 2023 to February 27 of this year.
This recall represents a significant portion of the Cybertrucks on the road, according to analyst estimates. The stainless steel exterior trim panel poses a risk of detaching, which could become a road hazard and increase the chances of an accident.
“Recalls of the entire production for a physical item such as body panels focus attention on quality issues,” said Sam Fiorani, vice president at research firm AutoForecast Solutions. “Reputations take a long time to build and can be tarnished very quickly.”
The recall comes at a challenging time for Tesla, as the electric vehicle giant faces rising competition and an aging lineup. Demand for the unconventional electric pickup had already shown signs of weakness towards the end of last year, following several delays in its release.
Analysts have noted a shift in customer sentiment, with concerns over vehicle quality and company practices affecting potential buyers. Tesla has advised owners to bring their Cybertrucks in for repairs to address the issue. Ensuring the safety of its vehicles remains a top priority for the company as it navigates these challenges.
