Elon Musk-owned electric vehicle manufacturing company, Tesla, has reportedly made the largest ever cybertruck recall, amounting to more than 46,000 trucks, due to defective exterior trim panels that could detach while driving, creating a potential road hazard.
This issue affects cyber truck models manufactured between November 2023 and February 2025, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to Tesla, the faulty component known as the cant rail, can delaminate over time, increasing the risk of accidents.
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“The cant rail, a stainless-steel exterior trim panel, can delaminate and detach from the vehicle. A detached panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash”, Tesla wrote.
The company told NHTSA that it had received about 150 claims from drivers about the issue but was not aware of any accidents caused by the problem. The issue is covered under a warranty for new owners, and the company will replace the piece free of charge. Tesla therefore urged owners of affected vehicles to visit its service centers, where the part will be replaced at no cost.
This recall comes at a turbulent time for Tesla, as the company grapples with a significant stock decline. Tesla shares have fallen more than 40% since January, erasing all of the “Trump bump” that briefly saw the stock gain more than 90% after Election Day. Reacting to a post on X which showed the significant decline in Tesla stock price, Musk replied “It will be fine long term”.
Reports suggest that Musk’s increasingly outspoken political activities in the United States are impacting Tesla stock. Notably, his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has sparked backlash. His controversial stances and actions like supporting far-right movements in Europe and aligning closely with President Trump have led to protests, boycotts, and a damaged brand reputation among some of Tesla’s core customer base. Also, investors are worried about Musk’s divided focus, which they believe is distracting him from addressing Tesla’s operational challenges.
Others note that Tesla’s decline in stock price comes as the company’s European market is facing increased competition from Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, which has telegraphed ambitious plans for expansion on the continent. Recall that BYD surpassed Tesla as the world’s top EV seller in 2024 and recently unveiled a fast-changing system offering 250 miles of range in five minutes, outpacing Tesla’s current capabilities.
A more decisive blow to Tesla’s near-term fortunes may be emanating from China itself. There, Tesla’s shipments plunged 49% in February from a year earlier, to just 30,688 vehicles, according to official data cited by Bloomberg News. That’s the lowest monthly figure registered since July 2022 amid the throes of COVID-19 when it shipped just 28,217 EVs, Bloomberg said.
In China, in particular, Tesla is struggling to compete against domestic carmakers. Last month Tesla shipments in the country fell 49% year-over-year. This competitive pressure is eroding Tesla’s market share, especially in key regions like China and Europe, where BYD and other automakers are offering cheaper or technologically competitive objectives
Europe sales are also slumping, particularly in Germany, where consumers have been outraged over Musk’s support of a far-right nationalist party with links to Nazis. Sales tumbled 76% in Germany last month from a year earlier.
The “vast majority” of Cybertrucks on U.S. roads are subject to Tesla’s latest vehicle recall, CNBC reports. More than 46,000 of the automaker’s controversial pickups are at risk of a stainless-steel exterior panel becoming detached while driving, creating potential road hazards. Tesla will replace the rail assembly on affected vehicles, but the repair must be done in person. This is one of several recalls for the Cybertruck, as well as for Tesla, which “accounts for a large portion of recalled vehicles in the U.S.”