Is the Cybertruck stylish or poorly made? Is it plagued by recalls or built to last? A debate that gained traction this past week, sparked by Ross Gerber, the CEO/President of Gerber Kawasaki investment firm, raises important questions. Here’s his take (FSD refers to Full Self Driving, Tesla’s advanced driver assistance technology)
There are various reasons the Cybertruck isn’t performing well in sales. It starts with the CEO. Then there’s the price. It appeals mainly to existing Tesla owners. The FSD on it is ineffective. It’s too large for standard garages. It has a low driving range. Regular pickup truck enthusiasts don’t find it useful. It hasn’t broadened Tesla’s market to new buyers. Resale values are bound to decline. Definitely lease a Tesla. $tsla (I own a Cybertruck)
But is the Cybertruck really that problematic? In an email, I reached out to Gerber, who drives a Cybertruck, to clarify his comments. He stated: “I enjoy my Cybertruck. I’m satisfied with it. There are just issues that should have been resolved before the launch.” This touches on Tesla’s philosophy regarding vehicle manufacturing and new model releases, which adopts a Silicon Valley mindset. New features and models are sometimes introduced to consumers before being fully refined, resembling the tech sector’s practice of “ship and iterate” and Tesla’s emphasis on automation and software.
Recalls and mockery — but children adore it Fueling widespread criticism of the Cybertruck is a series of recalls. So far, the Cybertruck has experienced six recalls, even though it has been available for about a year. These recalls include potential dislodging of the accelerator pedal, loose trim, and most recently, issues with the drive inverter, which could halt torque production, resulting in propulsion loss.
For those already predisposed to dislike Tesla due to Musk’s political views, the recalls have become an expanding target for criticism. Ironically, the most extreme criticism comes from non-owners who enjoy criticizing the Cybertruck despite lacking any direct experience with it. “People dislike Musk, so I understand that,” said Gerber, but he added, “However, zero percent of kids hate it.” (I can attest to that. A few weeks ago, while recharging my GMC Hummer EV at a Tesla Supercharger station, a group of children approached from a nearby shopping center to admire two Cybertrucks parked near me. I was both surprised and disappointed that they didn’t even glance at the Hummer.)
The latest: magnet chaos (and get Musk) There’s a burgeoning industry of blogs eager to jump on virtually any negative trend appearing in Tesla forums. The Cybertruck is often a favored target. Many posts are filled with the expected (and outdated) personal attacks on Musk. Yes, Musk invites criticism with his controversial tweets, but relentless Tesla detractors misdirect their animosity, projecting their feelings about Musk onto Tesla products. A pertinent example is the anecdotal claims about magnets causing corrosion (accompanied by jabs at Musk’s beliefs). This has sparked a new wave of mockery regarding rusty Cybertrucks, with some posts even showcasing a clearly fabricated image of a rusted Cybertruck (which is merely a wrap).
Design, as usual, is divisive Always present in the backdrop of the love/hate divide is the design of the Cybertruck. “In at least one aspect, the vehicle is the complete opposite of the Toyota Camry,” noted Tom Libby, an analyst at S&P Global Mobility. “While the Camry is often labeled as unremarkable and having an appealing design that few could dislike… [the Cybertruck has] such a striking style that it’s easy to see why people would quickly take a firm stance either for it or against it,” Libby explained.
X: the main counterbalance, emergence of Tesla influencers The growing group of Cybertruck advocates on social media (including the most prominent influencers) has been gaining followers and prominence alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s role as an owner of X and advisor to President-elect Trump. Posts from leading Tesla influencers have been highlighting the Cybertruck recently, as well as new accessories/software and whatever Musk is promoting — lately focusing on Full Self Driving, Cybercab, and vehicle autonomy. Clearly, social media contributions from this group are mostly positive and offer a counterbalance to the negative attention Tesla frequently receives in blogs and mainstream media.
Sticky reality: Cybertruck is gaining traction
While conditions may vary in later quarters, the undeniable fact is that the CT ranked as the third best-selling EV in the U.S. during the third quarter, as reported by Cox Automotive, owner of Kelley Blue Book—surpassing all except the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. This is a statistic often overlooked by Tesla critics. Another undeniable fact is that most potential CT buyers tend to disregard fringe media criticisms, making very rational purchasing decisions centered around cost.
Elon Musk has taken a significant, albeit backward, step. Tesla faces serious challenges following the launch of one of its most innovative, eccentric, and futuristic vehicles. Do you know which one it is? Lady Gaga was seen driving it several months ago, but now a substantial recall has impacted thousands of drivers. The company aims to remove these vehicles from the roads swiftly, and the reasons for this have other automakers watching with a mix of fear and disbelief.
Tesla (though not Musk) has acknowledged its shortcomings: it’s unprecedented, and car manufacturers are feeling anxious. In June 2024, Tesla Inc. recalled nearly 12,000 electric Cybertrucks due to issues with the windshield wiper motor and an additional smaller component at the back of the truck bed. This latest recall marks the third and fourth instances of Cybertruck recalls since its debut late last year, highlighting ongoing quality control problems that Tesla is facing with these vehicles.
What specific failures has the well-known company recognized? Here are three issues reported by customers:
Windshield Wiper Motor Malfunction: An electrical fault was found in the front windshield wiper motor controller, which can fail due to the excess electrical current supplied, affecting the motor during operation. This issue presents a significant hazard, particularly in foggy conditions.
Plastic Trim Detachment: A black plastic trim piece surrounding the truck’s bed has been noted as potentially detaching while driving. This concern was identified when a Cybertruck was shifted from one location to another without this specific trim; further investigation revealed it had been poorly installed.
Accelerator Pedal Problems: Earlier, in April 2024, Tesla issued a recall for the accelerator pedal assembly. In some models, the pad on the accelerator pedal could potentially come loose, posing dangers as the pedal might attach itself to the interior trim.
Why is Tesla’s issue so critical? It could have severe consequences, and the Cybertruck is just the beginning.
This situation could lead to what is termed sudden acceleration, where the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly without the driver’s intent, which can be life-threatening. Tesla stated that this can be addressed simply by altering or replacing the accelerator pedal assembly, a process that takes less than 15 minutes and is provided at no cost to the vehicle owner.
The recalls affect around 11,688 Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, and June 6, 2024. Therefore, this number represents nearly the entirety of all Cybertrucks currently in use, underscoring the extent of the issue.
A detailed look at the Tesla Cybertruck recall: it’s more about what is to come than what has occurred.
The recalls follow a previous software-related recall earlier in the year involving 2.2 million Tesla cars, including Cybertrucks, due to visibility issues with warning indicators. Total Cybertrucks Affected: Approximately 12,000 individuals of this demographic are estimated.
Manufacturing Dates: Vehicles produced between November 13, 2023, and June 6, 2024.
Earlier Recalls: This includes complications related to the accelerator pedal and visibility issues caused by the vehicle’s software.
The two recalls concern Cybertrucks owned by primary drivers, with required remedies necessitating a visit to a Tesla service center. It is expected that owners will receive notifications regarding the latest recall by mid-August 2024, outlining the steps they need to take. Tesla has confirmed that all repairs will be completed at no charge for the vehicle owners.
It is evident that the recall of the Tesla Cybertruck has become a significant problem for the company, which has struggled to recover from the decline in sales since the pandemic. However, their future aspirations look promising enough for us to approach the current situation with caution. Perhaps they will even venture into a new fuel technology yet to be disclosed, which has similarities to those being developed in Japan and that China is still working to perfect (but which has ample opportunities ahead).
Tesla has announced its sixth recall this year for the angular, stainless steel Cybertruck, as it discovered that over 2,400 of these electric vehicles may have a flaw that could lead to a loss of driving power, heightening the chances of accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wednesday.
Tesla will replace the faulty component, the drive inverter, free of charge starting on or shortly after December 9, based on a safety recall report released by the auto safety agency on Wednesday.
Earlier Cybertruck recalls involved a larger number of vehicles. For example, one recall issued in October due to a delay in the rearview camera image affected over 27,100 Cybertrucks. Another recall from June was related to a failing front windshield wiper, impacting more than 11,600 Cybertrucks. In April, nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks were recalled to address an accelerator pedal issue that could cause it to become stuck. Additionally, some newer Cybertruck models were part of a broader recall in February affecting around 2.2 million Teslas over a warning light panel font that was too small.
Tesla did not provide immediate comments when asked for a response.
The most recent recall concerns 2,431 Cybertruck pickups produced between November 6, 2023, and July 30 of this year, according to the safety administration’s report. As of October 30, Tesla indicated that it had not recorded any accidents, fatalities, or injuries linked to the defect.
This recall notice follows a surge in Tesla’s stock price after Donald J. Trump’s victory in the presidential election. Elon Musk, the company’s chief executive, invested at least $119 million in a super PAC backing Mr. Trump and has often been seen alongside the president-elect since the election.
Mr. Musk, known for opposing regulations, is anticipated to assist Mr. Trump in nominating leaders for federal agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Administration. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump stated that Mr. Musk would co-lead an initiative aimed at reducing government regulations and spending. The exact workings of this project remain unclear, but Mr. Trump mentioned that it would propose substantial budget cuts for federal agencies.
On Tuesday, Mr. Trump did not comment on the potential conflicts of interest concerning Mr. Musk, who has founded SpaceX, the rocket company, and Neuralink, a firm aiming to link the human brain with computers. Mr. Musk’s position in the Trump administration would involve overseeing the expenditures of federal agencies that have awarded contracts to his companies, including those that have prompted at least 20 recent investigations or reviews of his firms, particularly Tesla.
Tesla, recognized as the largest electric vehicle maker in the United States, achieved a valuation of $1 trillion post-election, following a period of sluggish sales earlier in the year.
Since its introduction, Tesla’s controversial electric pickup has faced numerous quality issues, and it is approaching the status of being among the least reliable EVs produced to date. Oddly, Cybertruck owners may not be overly concerned.
Owners of the Cybertruck have reported that some of these stainless steel pickups could cease to “produce torque” while driving. This issue was noted by Tesla in a recall announced on November 5 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Any sudden loss of power could “increase the risk of a collision,” according to the filing’s serious implications. The latest recall, marking the sixth for the wedge-shaped vehicle this year, requires service at shops rather than an over-the-air (OTA) update.
Reports of abrupt loss of electric power due to defective drive inverters—components that convert DC to AC power and manage an EV’s motor speed and torque—might unsettle the average electric vehicle driver, yet for enthusiasts of Elon Musk’s flagship vehicle, it serves as a demonstration of the Cybertruck’s distinctive appeal, according to Ivan Drury, the director of insights at car shopping guide Edmunds, in an interview with WIRED.
“The audience attracted to [the Cybertruck] isn’t primarily concerned with construction quality or safety,” he remarks. “The possibility that this could be a hazardous vehicle to operate is integral to its allure. People aren’t purchasing it to use as a conventional truck.”
Pressing the accelerator in the affected Cybertrucks may leave their drivers disappointed—a concerning thought for a vehicle that outpaces a Lamborghini Aventador in reaching 60 mph—but Drury from Hawaii adds that this will not tarnish the pickup’s reputation in the eyes of many prospective buyers.
“The more negative coverage it receives, the more those typical Cybertruck consumers perceive it as favorable,” Drury suggests.
Often ridiculed online as the Cyberbrick, the vehicle was launched in December 2023; Tesla reportedly sold 27,000 units by October of this year, as inferred from the count of Cybertrucks involved in the fifth recall. The latest recall pertains to 2,431 Cybertrucks that necessitate a visit to the service center for the installation of new drive inverters.
The recalled drive inverters, which may contain defective metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors, were installed in Cybertrucks built between November of the previous year and July’s end of this year.
“It’s typical for all-new models to experience an uptick in recalls during their first year on the market,” notes Karl Brauer, an executive analyst at car ranking service iSeeCars.
The Cybertruck may have shortcomings regarding this metric. “Vehicles with ongoing recalls long after their launch indicate a significantly higher lifetime recall total,” Brauer explains. He estimates that the six recalls the Cybertruck has faced so far are “worse than 91 percent” of 2024 vehicles. This was possibly hinted at in 2023 when a leaked Tesla report revealed fundamental design issues with the Cybertruck.
Brauer emphasizes, “We aren’t ready to make [lifetime recall] predictions for the Cybertruck at this early stage, but it’s not performing well up to this point.”
According to Drury from Edmunds, most Cybertruck buyers aren’t particularly focused on longevity predictions, and many are likely unconcerned about recalls, whether for software updates or otherwise. “Customers of the Cybertruck are interested in the attention it draws—they aren’t worried about how many times [this vehicle will be] recalled over 30 years,” Drury states. “They’re purchasing this vehicle for the present, without considering the future.”
“A typical auto buyer wants to know if a vehicle will last for a decade or provide ongoing value,” he adds. “A Cybertruck owner is indifferent to those aspects. Owning a Cybertruck is not about practicality; it’s a statement. A statement that reflects, ‘I have enough disposable income to spend on a non-essential vehicle.’”
Like many other critics (earlier this year, a CNN reviewer described the pickup as exhibiting “a disturbing level of individual arrogance in hard, unforgiving steel”), Drury suggests that Cybertruck buyers are individuals who think, “I don’t care if I endanger lives while driving this thing down the street.” He believes that this mindset represents a relatively niche market for the Cybertruck.
If Tesla is genuinely targeting smaller markets than Musk initially predicted—who had estimated during a 2023 shareholder meeting that Cybertruck sales could reach 250,000 by 2025 and balloon to 500,000 annually once production scaled up—it could explain the weakening Cybertruck resale market.
“Resale prices for these vehicles have significantly dropped,” Drury noted. According to price tracking site CarGurus, the average used Cybertruck fell from $175,000 in April to $110,864 today. The lowest priced Cybertruck on Autotrader was listed at $86,000 earlier this week, and many of the other 276 currently available listings feature “recent price drop” indicators.
Aftermarket prices might continue to decline as Tesla is now delivering a new $79,990 model to reservation holders. Moreover, there is no longer much necessity to make reservations—Tesla stores in North America now accept walk-in orders for Cybertrucks, with delivery occurring within two to three weeks. “I’m calling it: The original reservation list is effectively done,” stated reservationist BayouCityBob on a Cybertruck owners forum last month. Tesla had asserted that it accumulated more than 1 million prelaunch reservations at $100 each for the Cybertruck.
“I was under the impression I’d need to wait a couple of [years] before it was my turn,” MC1987 replied to BayouCityBob, referring to their invitation to acquire a second Cybertruck. (The individual had returned their first, a top-spec Cyberbeast, due to claimed “build quality issues.”) “This is so unbelievable,” they remarked.
As most parts of the world have yet to approve Cybertruck sales, Tesla cannot increase its market share outside of North America. UK car listings site Carwow describes the Cybertruck as a “rolling axe head,” alluding to its sharp angles making it literally too unconventional to comply with strict European pedestrian safety laws.
Additionally, Tesla cannot depend on the American consumers’ affection for pickup trucks. “About 70 percent of all truck sales involve a trade-in,” Drury disclosed. “This isn’t applicable for [the Cybertruck].” He utilized Edmunds’ trade-in data to elaborate.
“Though Cybertruck hasn’t been on the market for long, it has been long enough for us to capture some used models. Because there’s no indication that Cybertrucks are being exchanged for other trucks—which is typical in America—it seems this isn’t a vehicle being utilized for traditional truck purposes,” Drury stated.
While the Cybertruck’s six recalls this year may not alarm “edgy” consumers, the negative publicity that often follows will not favor Tesla shareholders—higher-than-average recalls could damage the brand’s overall reputation.
It’s important to note that an increase in general automobile recalls shouldn’t automatically be a cause for concern for consumers since defects can vary greatly in seriousness, and very few lead to stop-sale orders or immediate driving cessation orders for specific models. Automakers may dislike having to file them, but recalls indicate that the regulatory system is functioning as intended.
However, with Musk advising the U.S. government—even if indirectly—some regulators might face limitations, possibly resulting in fewer product recalls and a potential increase in danger for consumers. Nonetheless, not all Cybertruck owners may be overly worried about that.
