Tesla Recalls Almost All Cybertrucks in the US — They May Have Pieces of Skin Falling Off

Tesla has announced a recall of nearly all of its Cybertruck electric pickup trucks in the U.S. to fix a defect that could cause the vehicle’s exterior front steel panel to detach while driving.

Image source: tesla.com

The recall program covers more than 46,000 vehicles manufactured between November 2023 and February 27, 2025, the automaker reported to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The incident risks turning into another major setback for Tesla – the company’s shares have lost almost half their value this year alone. A whole range of factors are to blame: increased competition, an aging model range and the role of the company’s CEO Elon Musk in cutting US federal spending.

The stainless steel exterior trim panel can detach from the vehicle, making it dangerous to drive and increasing the risk of a crash. As part of the recall, Tesla will replace the panel assembly with a new one that meets durability testing requirements. NHTSA notified Tesla on Feb. 21 of a Cybertruck owner who said the panel had detached from his vehicle. The company warned that the detached panel could create noise that could be heard in the cabin; the defect could also be detected by inspecting the vehicle’s body. Tesla also acknowledged that it is aware of 151 warranty claims that may be related to the defect, but that it has not yet resulted in any crashes or injuries. The company has not disclosed Cybertruck shipment volumes, but analysts estimate that it represents the vast majority of the model on U.S. roads.

Tesla shares fell 1.4% after the recall announcement, down nearly 42% year-to-date. Tesla accounts for the majority of recalls in the U.S., with 5.1 million Tesla vehicles affected by the company’s programs in 2024. In most cases, the problems were resolved with a software update.