Tesla is recalling more than 40,000 Cybertrucks due to a potential issue with an exterior panel that may detach while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. This marks the eighth recall notice for Tesla’s pickup truck amid ongoing protests and stock market struggles for the company and its CEO, Elon Musk.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filing, the recall affects Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, and February 27, 2025. The filing stated that the vehicles are equipped with cant rails—stainless-steel exterior trim panels—that could detach while in motion. The NHTSA indicated that the cant rails could separate at their connection points with the vehicle, potentially detaching entirely. Drivers might notice a sound or see the panel becoming loose, according to regulators.
Tesla initiated an investigation into the defect on January 13 after receiving a complaint on January 7. As of March 14, the automaker had received 151 warranty claims potentially related to the defect, though Tesla is not aware of any related collisions or injuries. Tesla plans to notify affected vehicle owners by May 19 and will replace the cant rail assembly free of charge.
In 2024, Tesla recalled 5.1 million vehicles in the U.S., the highest number among automakers, according to NHTSA data. However, most of these recalls were addressed through over-the-air software updates. Tesla accounted for roughly 21% of the recalled vehicles in the U.S. last year, while holding a market share of about 4.2% of cars sold in 2023, according to industry analysts at Cox Automotive.
The latest recall follows a series of protests and vandalism at several Tesla dealerships across the U.S. in recent months. Graffiti was found at a dealership in Loveland, Colorado. There have also been reports of shots being fired, Molotov cocktails, and damage to Tesla vehicles at dealerships across several states. These incidents are linked to “Tesla Takedown,” a group encouraging owners to sell their Teslas and protest the company.
Musk told Fox news he believes larger forces are at work with funding and coordinating the Tesla protests. Shares of Tesla are down more than 40% year-to-date, the worst loss of any company on the S&P 500.
Tesla has issued seven notices for its Cybertrucks in 2024 after production delays and battery supply issues. An initial recall was issued in January 2024, pertaining to warning lights with a font size that may make safety information hard to read. Nearly 3,900 Cybertrucks were recalled in April 2024 over pedals that could get stuck, potentially causing unintended acceleration. Two further notices were issued in June 2024, after Tesla found issues with windshield wipers and improperly attached trunk bed trims. Other recalls have addressed rearview camera problems and defective drive inverters.
