Tesla will fix a major flaw in the Cybertruck for free

Promised to be unbreakable, Tesla admits to having neglected the undercarriage of its Cybertruck, to the extent of dangerously exposing its battery.

The troubles of the Tesla Cybertruck, episode 1000. A vehicle among the most controversial in automotive history, the Cybertruck has benefited from (or endured?) the extravagant communication of its creator, Elon Musk. Never short of superlatives, sometimes misleading, this electric pickup promised to be invulnerable, armored, financially accessible, pre-sold at 1 million units, and with an XXL range. Since miracles do not exist, none of this has happened.

Today, the wait times for delivery in the United States are 15 days. How can such distrust from customers be explained? Let’s say that since its announcement in 2019, this futuristic Tesla vehicle has faced criticism for issues ranging from design to technical performance.

Chaotic beginnings

Upon its first presentation in 2019, the launch event was marked by an incident that went viral: the supposedly “unbreakable” windows of the Cybertruck shattered when tested live on stage. This incident cast a shadow over the vehicle’s promises of sturdiness and raised doubts about the reliability of Tesla’s claims. While this event was perceived as a publicity misstep, it also symbolized the beginning of questions regarding the vehicle’s durability.

The Tesla Cybertruck later suffered from numerous production delays, largely related to the technical challenges faced in fulfilling its promises. Initially scheduled to go into production in 2021, the timeline was repeatedly pushed back, with production only starting at the end of 2023. In the meantime, Tesla had to adjust several technical aspects, including the size and shape of the vehicle, to comply with the regulations of targeted markets.

The Cybertruck uses an ultra-durable stainless steel exoskeletal chassis, intended to provide exceptional toughness. However, this unconventional design approach has created new manufacturing challenges, as traditional production methods could not be applied to this structure.

Recurring quality issues

Early reports from internal tests and prototype units of the Cybertruck revealed various quality issues. Problems such as incorrect panel alignments, sealing issues, and defects on certain body parts are regularly mentioned. In September 2024, Tesla announced a new battery protection kit and a rock slider system (side protections) aimed at improving the durability and resilience of the Cybertruck in off-road driving conditions. This update, which can be installed retroactively on existing models, aims to address some of the issues related to battery protection in case of impacts underneath the chassis. A video circulated on social media showing a Cybertruck catching fire after an object penetrated the battery pack. For a vehicle touted to be invulnerable, this negative publicity was once again dreadful.

Buying the first examples of a new vehicle is never a good idea, both for Tesla and its competitors. But at the American manufacturer, the effect is even more pronounced due to its “crash learning” policy, where serious problems must occur before they are fixed. The list of corrective actions is already very long. One of the most surprising was, in the spring of 2024, the free replacement of electric motors for the first models produced during the winter. This change aimed to install a new version of the powertrain, described as more efficient and reliable.

ALSO READ: Why avoid these rims on the Tesla Model S?