Elon Musk's Tesla recalls Cybertrucks again over safety concerns and backlash

Elon Musk's Tesla has recalled nearly all of its Cybertrucks sold in the United States after safety regulators flagged a defect in an exterior panel that can detach while driving, posing a serious hazard to other vehicles and pedestrians.

The recall affects over 46,000 vehicles and marks the eighth for the futuristic electric pickup since its long-delayed rollout began in late 2023.

It’s the latest in a series of setbacks for the Elon Musk-led company, which is also facing public backlash over Musk’s political alignment with US President Donald Trump.

The issue lies in a stainless steel strip known as the “cant rail assembly,” which runs along the left and right side of the windshield. It is bonded to the vehicle using structural adhesive.

However, regulators have found that the glue can degrade under extreme hot or cold weather conditions, potentially causing the panel to break loose.

“That’s causing the problem now, where a panel can literally leave the vehicle and fly off while you’re driving,” said Paul Maric, founder of the automotive website CarExpert. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned that the adhesive used in the cant rail is vulnerable to “environmental embrittlement.” Tesla plans to replace the panels free of charge using a better adhesive and provide additional reinforcements to address the issue.

Tesla became aware of the problem earlier this year, but concerns ramped up in recent days after videos went viral showing Cybertruck owners removing the panels with their bare hands. The footage added to growing doubts about the vehicle’s durability and build quality.

This recall adds to a growing list of issues associated with the Cybertruck. Previous recalls included faults with the windshield wipers, malfunctioning display screens, stuck accelerator pedals, and electric inverters that caused the drive wheels to lose power. Despite the ongoing problems, Maric noted that recalls themselves are not unusual in the auto industry and are often part of routine safety fixes post-production.

Still, the launch of the Cybertruck has been far from smooth. Although Tesla collected over a million deposits when the vehicle was first announced, only around 50,000 units have been delivered. Many owners have reported performance issues, especially with towing, claiming that parts of the truck’s sub-assembly break under stress.

Public sentiment has also turned sour. Since Musk was appointed by Trump to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, Tesla has faced waves of protests and vandalism. Showrooms, charging stations, and privately owned vehicles have all been targeted. Giles Parkinson, founder of electric vehicle site The Driven, said the Cybertruck’s militaristic appearance has made it a symbol of political dissent.

In January, a Cybertruck exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, killing the sole occupant — a US Army soldier who left behind a note calling it a “wake-up call” for America. The shocking incident deepened concerns over the vehicle’s symbolism and rising tensions.

Tesla’s stock has reflected the turbulence, plunging 42% since the start of the year. The company has yet to release an official statement regarding the latest recall, though it continues to assure customers that safety fixes will be handled promptly and free of charge.

As Tesla battles quality control problems and public backlash, the Cybertruck’s future — once seen as the bold new face of electric utility vehicles — remains deeply uncertain.