Barely hitting the streets, every Tesla Cybertruck sold is already being yanked back to the shop.
Tesla has initiated a full-scale recall of every Cybertruck it has delivered since its launch last year, totaling 3,878 vehicles, due to a serious issue with the accelerator pedal that can lead to unintended acceleration. This marks a significant challenge for Tesla, as the automaker tries to address safety concerns that have arisen shortly after the much-anticipated release of the Cybertruck.
The problem, as outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), stems from a cosmetic pedal cover that can become dislodged and trap the accelerator pedal in a depressed position. This fault can cause the vehicle to continue accelerating even after the driver has lifted their foot off the pedal, posing a clear risk of collision.
Tesla’s investigation into the issue revealed the fault was introduced during manufacturing when an unapproved type of soap was used as a lubricant to install the pedal covers. This practice, carried out by the supplier KSR International Inc. without Tesla’s consent, reduced the cover’s adherence, making it prone to slipping off and leading to potential unintended acceleration.
The company has responded swiftly to the crisis. Tesla first received complaints about the pedal issue on March 31, with subsequent reports following shortly after. By April 12, Tesla had decided to conduct a voluntary recall, although it confirmed that, as of April 15, there had been no reported collisions, injuries, or fatalities caused by the defect.
To address the issue, Tesla has pledged to replace or rework the accelerator pedal assembly for all affected vehicles at no charge to the owners. The repair process is set to begin with notifications going out to owners starting on June 18. Furthermore, Tesla has assured all Cybertrucks produced from April 17 onward are equipped with a new and improved accelerator pedal component, which features a new part number designed to prevent this issue.
This recall comes at a challenging time for Tesla, which has seen its share prices fall significantly, erasing all its gains from the past year. The automaker is also facing increased competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and has been undergoing broader company-wide issues, including significant layoffs and leadership critiques regarding CEO Elon Musk’s management style, particularly after his acquisition of the social media platform Twitter.
Despite these hurdles, Tesla is determined to rectify the issue with the Cybertruck and restore confidence among its customers and investors. The recall, while a setback, reflects Tesla’s commitment to safety and its responsiveness to customer concerns. The carmaker continues to innovate and push forward in the EV market, but this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with pioneering new automotive trend.
In the meantime, let’s just hope Musk gets that fixed before it hurts anyone.
