Tesla, the electric vehicle titan, has issued a sweeping recall for all 3,878 Cybertrucks that have been shipped due to a defect that could cause the accelerator pedal to become stuck, leading to an increased risk of crash. This recall comes at a time when the company is grappling with other challenges, including a substantial workforce reduction and executive departures.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue involves the potential for the pedal’s pad to dislodge, resulting in the pedal becoming trapped in the trim above it. This malfunction could compromise the driver’s ability to properly control the vehicle’s speed, subsequently elevating the risk of collision.
The reports of the faulty accelerator pedal began surfacing in recent weeks, prompting Tesla to take precautionary measures by pausing deliveries of the Cybertruck as they investigated the matter. Despite no known instances of crashes or injuries attributed to this issue, the potential danger was substantial enough to prompt the company’s swift response.
In a statement to NHTSA, Tesla detailed that the problem arose from “an unapproved change introduced lubricant (soap) to aid in the component assembly of the pad onto the accelerator pedal,” with “residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal.” The company acknowledged receiving customer reports of the problem beginning on March 31, with subsequent tests leading to the recall decision by April 12.
Tesla has taken immediate action, assuring customers that it will replace or rework the accelerator pedal on all existing Cybertrucks. Furthermore, Tesla has confirmed the implementation of a redesigned accelerator pedal in the production of new Cybertrucks and is actively addressing the issue in vehicles currently in transit or at delivery centers.
The Cybertruck, which began deliveries only late last year, has been no stranger to recalls. An earlier recall, albeit a minor one, required a software update due to the warning lights’ font size being too small. However, this current recall is far more significant, considering the potential physical harm it poses.
Social media platforms and forums like the Cybertruck Owners’ Club have been echoing concerns raised by customers over this issue. A TikTok user’s post, depicting their pedal cover slipping and forcing the accelerator to the floor, highlighted the urgency of addressing the problem. Meanwhile, Cybertruck owners have also reported abrupt cancellations of their delivery appointments, with dealerships citing “unexpected delays.”
Despite the troubling implications of the recall, Tesla has committed to offering the necessary repairs without charge to vehicle owners, covered under the new vehicle warranty. As of April 17, production models have been fitted with the necessary parts to avoid the problem from happening again.
Relevant articles:
– Tesla recalls Cybertrucks over accelerator crash risk
– Tesla recalls the Cybertruck for faulty accelerator pedals that can get stuck, TechCrunch, Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:31:48 GMT
– Tesla recalls all of the nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks it has sold over accelerator pedal issue, New York Post, Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:46:00 GMT
– Tesla Recalls Nearly 3,900 Cybertrucks Over Gas Pedals That Can Get Stuck—Causing Truck To Accelerate, Forbes, Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:43:33 GMT