April 22, 2024

Tesla Recalls All Cybertrucks Due to Accelerator Pedal Issue

Tesla has announced a recall of all 3,878 Cybertrucks shipped to date due to a problem with the accelerator pedal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the pedal can get stuck, potentially putting drivers at risk of a crash.

A Tumultuous Week for Tesla
This recall caps off a tumultuous week for Tesla. The company laid off more than 10% of its workforce on Monday and lost two of its highest-ranking executives. A few days later, Tesla asked shareholders to re-vote on CEO Elon Musk’s massive compensation package, which was struck down by a judge earlier this year.

Reports of Accelerator Pedal Problems
Over the past few weeks, reports of problems with the Cybertruck’s accelerator pedal have started to surface. Tesla reportedly paused deliveries of the truck while it worked to resolve the issue. Musk stated in a post on X that Tesla was “being very cautious.” The company reported to NHTSA that it was not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the problem.

The Issue with the Accelerator Pedal
Tesla has now confirmed to NHTSA that the pedal can dislodge, making it possible for it to slide up and get caught in the trim around the footwell. The company first received a notice of one of these accelerator pedal incidents from a customer on March 31, and then a second one on April 3. After performing a series of tests, it decided on April 12 to issue a recall.

Tesla determined that “an unapproved change introduced lubricant (soap) to aid in the component assembly of the pad onto the accelerator pedal,” and that “residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal.”

Tesla’s Response
Tesla has stated that it will replace or rework the accelerator pedal on all existing Cybertrucks. It also informed NHTSA that it has started building Cybertrucks with a new accelerator pedal and is fixing the vehicles that are in transit or sitting at delivery centers.

While the Cybertruck only started shipping late last year, this is not the vehicle’s first recall. However, the initial recall was minor: Earlier this year, Tesla recalled the software on all of its vehicles because the font sizes of its warning lights were too small.

The company unveiled the Cybertruck back in 2019, and despite these setbacks, it continues to innovate and push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology.