Sure, the Cybertruck is futuristic, but another recall has owners questioning its present reliability.
Tesla’s Cybertruck is facing its sixth recall this year, marking another bump in the road for the company’s futuristic electric pickup. This time, the issue revolves around a faulty drive inverter that could cause the truck to lose all torque and propulsion. Tesla announced that 2,431 Cybertruck units produced between November 2023 and July 2024 are affected.
The problem stems from a component called a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, or MOSFET, within the drive inverter. When this part fails, the inverter stops producing torque, which could leave the driver unable to accelerate. Tesla warns that this increases the risk of a collision, though the automaker has reported no accidents or injuries linked to the defect. If the issue arises, drivers will see a visual alert on the center screen instructing them to pull over.
Tesla plans to replace the faulty inverters in affected vehicles free of charge, with repairs beginning on December 9, 2024. The company is reaching out to owners directly with recall notices. While Tesla has acknowledged five warranty claims related to this issue, it appears to be a small-scale problem compared to previous recalls.
This latest recall is just one of several that have plagued the Cybertruck since its launch in late 2023. Earlier this year, Tesla issued recalls for issues ranging from minor details, like undersized warning light fonts, to more significant problems, such as faulty windshield wipers and a rear camera that sometimes fails to display. The Cybertruck has also faced recalls for trim that could detach and an accelerator pedal that could become trapped, causing unintended acceleration.
Despite these setbacks, the Cybertruck remains a cultural phenomenon, known for its bold design and polarizing reputation. Tesla fans still flock to the vehicle, making it one of the top-selling EVs in the U.S. However, these recurring quality concerns may raise questions about Tesla’s production process and the challenges of scaling up a vehicle as unconventional as the Cybertruck.
Quality issues aside, Tesla continues to make waves in the EV industry, and the Cybertruck represents the company’s push into the competitive electric truck market. While Tesla is no stranger to recalls, with many being addressed via software updates, this one requires a physical fix, adding complexity to the situation.
This recall also sheds light on the difficulty of maintaining reliability while rolling out new, highly anticipated models. As Tesla works to build and deliver more Cybertrucks, the company must also ensure that early adopters receive vehicles that meet their expectations for quality and safety.
For now, Tesla owners affected by the recall will need to wait for their inverters to be replaced, but it’s clear that the carmaker has its work cut out for it.
