Tesla recalls 46000 cybertrucks over panel issue

Tesla has issued a recall for nearly all of its Cybertrucks sold in the United States after admitting that exterior panels on the futuristic vehicle have been falling off. The recall affects 46,000 vehicles produced between November 2023, when production began, and February 27 2025. Tesla has stated that a stainless-steel trim panel used in the design can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.

According to a statement from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the affected panels fail to meet durability standards. Tesla plans to resolve the issue by replacing the rail panel assembly with a component that meets testing requirements. While the carmaker has been aware of 151 warranty claims linked to the problem, no collisions or injuries have been reported as a result of the defect.

This setback is yet another challenge for Tesla, which has been grappling with both political and financial backlash. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has come under scrutiny for his political affiliations, particularly his involvement in government spending cuts under President Trump’s administration. Critics argue that these actions have tarnished the company’s reputation and strained its traditional customer base.

A survey conducted by Morgan Stanley in March revealed that 85 per cent of Americans believe Musk’s political conduct is negatively impacting Tesla’s brand. This public perception has been reflected in Tesla’s share price, which has plummeted by 39 per cent since the start of the year, falling by $146.94 to $232.34.

Globally, the company has faced significant challenges as well. Sales of Tesla vehicles declined in 2024 for the first time in a decade, with worldwide deliveries falling 1.1 per cent year-on-year to 1.79 million units. In addition, Chinese competition and political protests have created an increasingly hostile market environment for Tesla in the United States and abroad, leading to severe sales drops across key regions including Germany and France.

Although Tesla topped the US recall list in 2024 with 5.1 million vehicles flagged, many issues were resolved through over-the-air software updates, which allowed the brand to minimise physical recalls. However, the ongoing concerns about hardware durability in the Cybertruck present a more logistical challenge. The recall calls into question whether Tesla can maintain its once-unshakable dominance in the electric vehicle market as production quality becomes a critical factor for its future success.