Tesla’s Cybertruck faces its eighth recall over panel defects, sapping consumer trust and weighing on sales.
At a Glance
- Tesla’s Cybertruck has been recalled for the eighth time since late 2023
- Over 46,000 Cybertrucks built from November 2023 to February 2025 are affected
- The recall addresses a cant rail panel that may detach due to adhesive failure
- Despite over 1 million reservations, fewer than 50,000 units have been sold
- Tesla’s stock has plunged 42% amid recalls and political backlash
Engineering Hurdles
The latest Cybertruck recall affects 46,096 units produced between November 13, 2023, and February 27, 2025. The problem lies in the stainless steel cant rail trim panel, which may detach due to an adhesive that fails with age and weather exposure. Tesla plans to fix the issue by replacing adhesive with bolted reinforcements at no cost to owners.
This marks Tesla’s eighth safety recall since launch, following past issues with inverters, accelerator pedals, and windshield systems. The panel flaw became infamous after viral videos showed owners pulling off pieces of the truck’s body with little effort. The use of industrial glue—unusual for exterior panels on consumer trucks—has been criticized by auto engineers as risky and under-tested at scale.
Watch a report: Eighth Cybertruck Recall Explained.
Market Fallout
Despite over a million preorders, Tesla has delivered fewer than 50,000 Cybertrucks as of mid-2025. Elon Musk’s initial projection of 250,000 units per year has fallen apart amid production issues and mechanical flaws. Promised innovations such as amphibious capabilities were quickly abandoned when engineers couldn’t deliver them reliably.
This technical failure compounds a larger branding crisis. Tesla’s stock has plunged roughly 42% in 2025, reflecting growing disillusionment from investors and consumers. Dealerships have reported vandalism and arson—reactions some analysts tie to Musk’s polarizing political commentary and alignment with conservative causes, which have estranged many of Tesla’s earlier, progressive-aligned customers.
Repairing Trust
Tesla’s service centers are now burdened with inspecting and reassembling nearly every Cybertruck on the road. Recall notices began going out to owners in mid-May, with Tesla urging inspections and replacements to begin immediately. The repair will require disassembling roof and windshield components—a time-intensive operation.
Tesla’s brand, once synonymous with sleek, futuristic performance, is now associated with missed promises and social media controversy. While recent initiatives such as 0% financing aim to jumpstart sales, experts argue that no discounts can repair credibility alone. The company must pair Musk’s grand vision with real, verifiable quality.
The Cybertruck recall has become a cautionary tale: ambition without execution leads to failure. If Tesla hopes to maintain leadership in EV innovation, it must first reestablish the fundamentals of quality and trust.
