Tesla is recalling almost 4,000 of its flagship Cybertrucks to fix a potentially dangerous fault with their accelerators’ pedals.
A safety recall report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 3,878 of the vehicles would be recalled for repair — including all those manufactured between Nov. 13, 2023, and April 4.
“On affected vehicles, when high force is applied to the pad on the accelerator pedal, the pad may dislodge, which may cause the pedal to become trapped in the interior trim above the pedal,” the report said.
The recall adds to a run of bad news for Tesla. On Monday, the company laid off 10% of its workforce after disappointing company earnings showed a decline in the number of cars it delivered in the first three months of the year. Its stock price has fallen nearly 40% this year, and Tesla has reportedly stopped development of a cheaper vehicle option so it can focus on self-driving robotaxis —a move that has made some analysts more pessimistic about the company.
The Cybertruck has done little to change that narrative. The futuristic-looking vehicle has generated plenty of buzz but also scrutiny over everything from its safety and reliability to its sharp edges and reports of rust spots on its stainless steel body.
Is my vehicle affected by this recall?
This recall includes all model year 2024 Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023 to April 4, 2024. All owners can check if their vehicle is affected by entering their VIN in either the Tesla VIN Recall Search or NHTSA VIN Recall search tools.
What is this issue and how does it affect my vehicle?
On affected vehicles, when high force is applied to the pad on the accelerator pedal, the pad may dislodge, which may cause the pedal to become trapped in the interior trim above the pedal.
Is my vehicle safe to drive?
If the pad on the accelerator pedal becomes trapped in the interior trim above the pedal, the performance and operation of the pedal will be affected, which may increase the risk of a collision. Note that application of the brake pedal will cut drive torque, including when both brake and accelerator pedals are pressed, and continued application of the brake pedal will bring the vehicle to a stop as quickly as if the accelerator pedal was not pressed.
If the condition is present and the driver attempts to apply the accelerator pedal, the driver will detect the condition through immediate compromised performance and operation of the pedal. In addition, if the condition is present when the driver applies the brake pedal, the driver will receive an audible and visual alert that both brake and accelerator pedals are being pressed.
What is the recall remedy and how long does it take to perform?
At no charge to you, Tesla will replace or rework the accelerator pedal assembly such that the assembly meets specifications and ensures sufficient retention force between the pad and accelerator pedal to prevent the pad from dislodging. Reworking the accelerator pedal assembly will take less than 15 minutes and replacing the assembly, if necessary, replacement will take approximately 40 minutes.
Do I need to make a service appointment for this recall?
Yes. Schedule a service appointment using the Tesla app by selecting ‘Service’ > ‘Request Service’ > ‘Other’ > ‘Something Else’ and entering the note “Open Recall Repair – Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Pad” into the ‘Describe Concern’ field.
Image Source : Tesla