Tesla has been forced to halt Cybertruck deliveries after multiple owners reported alarming defects, with metal panels detaching from the vehicles at high speeds. The electric automaker, led by Elon Musk, has been dealing with persistent issues regarding its futuristic pickup truck, which was initially marketed as virtually indestructible. However, the reality has been far from that promise.
Since its official release in 2023, the Cybertruck has encountered a slew of complaints from owners, many of whom have taken to social media platforms like Twitter and the Cybertruck Owners Club forum to express frustration. Some customers claim they weren’t even informed that Tesla had stopped deliveries, leaving them confused and concerned about the state of their purchases.
Reports have surfaced of metal trim and exterior panels unexpectedly flying off while the trucks were in motion. This defect presents a significant danger, not only for the vehicle’s driver but also for other motorists on the road. The issue appears to stem from the truck’s cantrail, a piece of trim that extends along the roof. Customers have shared harrowing accounts of panels detaching mid-drive, an issue that has led Tesla to take urgent corrective action.
Tesla’s decision to pause deliveries follows a history of build-quality concerns regarding the Cybertruck. Despite Musk unveiling the vehicle as a revolutionary concept in 2019, boasting its ability to withstand extreme conditions, the reality has been quite different. Owners have dealt with ongoing complaints, ranging from poor design choices to structural weaknesses that contradict its supposed durability.
Some of the most concerning reports have come from Cybertruck owners in colder regions. Drivers in snowy climates have noticed significant performance failures, with one Tesla owner revealing on TikTok that his headlights became completely covered in snow, rendering them useless. Another driver in Canada posted a video showing his Cybertruck struggling to navigate through snowy terrain, raising further questions about the vehicle’s capabilities in harsh conditions.
Even beyond climate concerns, Cybertruck owners have been filing complaints with safety regulators regarding detached trim. A particularly alarming case was reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), where an owner described a large metal panel peeling off while the truck was in motion. The driver warned that the detached piece was sharp and heavy enough to damage other vehicles, creating a dangerous road hazard.
Other complaints have echoed similar safety concerns, with one owner stating that their passenger-side trim “fell off while driving on the street,” emphasizing that it could have caused injury or even a serious accident.
Investigations into the issue have revealed that the Cybertruck’s trim is attached using a combination of bolts and adhesive. However, in many cases, the adhesive has proven unreliable, leading to spontaneous detachment. Affected customers have criticized Tesla for what they describe as a careless design flaw that compromises safety.
This isn’t the first time Tesla has faced recalls due to faulty trim installation. Last year, the company acknowledged a defect related to the “sail applique,” a cosmetic metal trim piece that decorates the truck bed. Tesla admitted that on certain vehicles, the applique was improperly installed and could loosen or detach while driving.
The ongoing issues have fueled growing skepticism about the Cybertruck’s durability. Musk had previously claimed that the vehicle’s stainless steel body was nearly indestructible, famously attempting to demonstrate its strength during the vehicle’s unveiling. However, the demonstration backfired when a supposedly “bulletproof” window shattered on stage, creating an early red flag about the truck’s durability.
Now, with physical components detaching at high speeds, Tesla’s reputation for quality control has come under scrutiny yet again. Owners are demanding answers, with some calling for compensation or refunds due to the safety risks posed by their vehicles.
For now, Tesla remains silent on how long deliveries will be paused or how they plan to permanently fix the issue. While the Cybertruck was designed to be the future of pickup trucks, its series of ongoing failures is causing many to question whether it’s ready for real-world use at all.