Tesla announced a recall covering more than 27,000 vehicles. More precisely, 27,185 Cybertrucks. This marks the fifth time the all-electric pickup has faced a safety-related callback since the first dozen Cybertrucks were handed over to customers by Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the end of November 2023. And it comes at a time when Tesla has had more recalls than any other automaker.
The Tesla Cybertruck has faced an assortment of recalls since its launch late last November.
Tesla’s Cybertruck faces its fifth recall in less than a year. The automaker has filed paperwork with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warning that the vehicle faces the “increase(d) risk of a collision” due to problems with its rearview camera system.
When shifted into reverse, the electric pickup’s display may go blank for as much as 8 seconds before showing its rearview image. NHTSA requires such systems begin displaying within 2 seconds after a vehicle is shifted into reverse. The concern is that motorists may not wait and could wind up backing into children, pets or other unseen obstacles – exactly what rearview cameras are intended to prevent.
This is the latest in a series of safety-related problems involving the much-ballyhooed and quite controversial Tesla Cybertruck. But it also adds to the growing list of recalls the automaker has faced with its entire line-up, Tesla issuing recalls covering a collective 1.9 million vehicles during the third quarter alone – more than any other manufacturer operating in the U.S.
The latest Cybertruck recall
The latest recall is meant to repair problems with Cybertruck’s rearview camera.
Tesla has so far received 45 warranty claims linked to the faulty rearview camera systems and noted in its filing with NHTSA that there have been four field reports that “may” involve the problem. But it claims not to know of any actual accidents where a Cybertruck has struck anything because of the start-up delay.
The issue, the automaker said, was the result of the camera system “operating with a specific software logic for low voltage hardware,”
It chose to order a recall after it “investigated the condition” and realized it was not in compliance with federal guidelines. That covers Cybertrucks built between Nove. 13, 2023 and Sept. 14, 2024. Owners can check to see if their vehicles are covered by the recall by checking the Tesla or NHTSA websites, the latter by clicking on this link. Owners also may call Tesla at Tesla (877) 798-3752. Tesla’s number for the latest Cybertruck recall is SB-24-00-016.
Formal notifications will be mailed out on Nov. 25, but Tesla says it already has a software fix that owners can download to their vehicles.
Cybertruck’s spotty safety record
Along with the recalls, there’ve been numerous reports involving problems with Cybertruck, including this crash in Beverly Hills.
It’s not unusual for all-new vehicles to run into problems during their first year on the market. That’s what organizations like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports frequently advise buyers to consider waiting out that first year, especially for brands known to have quality and reliability issues.
Nonetheless, Cybertruck’s issues have earned it an increasingly cloudy reputation.
Arguably the most embarrassing problem to date involved faulty accelerator pedals that could come loose. That required all of the Cybertrucks produced through early April 2024 to be brought to dealers for repairs. Among other issues, Cybertruck has had recalls concerning faulty seatbelt warning lights and faulty windshield wipers, parts of which could come loose and fly off while driving. The electric pickup was part of a broader recall announced in January covering 2.2 million Tesla vehicles with unreadable digital warning lights.
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Tesla’s recall problems grow worse
Tesla topped the list of recalls during the third quarter of 2024.
Industry analysts note that recalls have become increasingly commonplace over the past decade. That reflects not only a federal crackdown on vehicle safety problems but a desire by manufacturers to get out ahead of issues, several analysts told Headlight.News.
In all, 21 million vehicles were subject to recall during the third quarter of this year, according to NHTSA data. Of that total, 1.9 million were produced by Tesla, giving it the dubious honor of being at the top of the recall list, ahead of manufacturers such as Stellantis, BMW and General Motors. And with far fewer vehicles on the road that meant a higher share of Tesla products facing safety-related issues.
On the positive side, all of the recalls the Texas-based EV maker announced during the July-September quarter were able to be fixed using smartphone-style over-the-air updates, rather than requiring motorists to take vehicles into dealer service shops. That will be the case with the latest Cybertruck recall involving faulty rearview camera systems.
Cybertruck off to a bad start
Tesla CEO Elon Musk handed over the keys to the first dozen Cybertrucks during a ceremony last month.
That said, the fifth recall involving Cybertruck in less than a year only adds to the controversy surrounding the vehicle.
The electric pickup generated plenty of buzz when it was first unveiled in concept form by CEO Musk in November 2019. The automaker soon claimed to have taken more than 1 million advance reservations.
The project was repeatedly delayed due to a variety of technical issues, Musk personally handing over the keys to the first dozen owners during a ceremony in Texas on November 30, 2023. Since then, it has generated significant pushback from critics due to its size and design, along with numerous reports of quality and reliability issues that appear to belie the claim made by the CEO that Cybertruck was designed to survive the “apocalypse.
While the automaker has yet to release specific sales numbers, Cybertruck appears to be faring far more poorly than expected. On the plus side, Tesla reported a 9.1% year-over-year increase in total sales during the third quarter, the first increase in 2024. But while it delivered 462,890 vehicles worldwide, the Models 3 and Y accounted for 439,975 of that total. It managed to hand over the keys for just 22,915 of its three other models, the Models S and X, as well as Cybertruck.
OTA updates should be catagorized differently from recalls that require a dealer visit.