Less than five months after delivering its first Cybertruck units to customers, Tesla has issued a recall for the electric pickup to address an issue with the accelerator pedal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a notice on Friday stating that the recall affects Cybertruck vehicles manufactured between November 13, 2023, and April 4, 2024, which is essentially all or almost all of the 3,878 units produced to date. This recall is a significant development for Tesla, as it has been focused on ramping up production and delivering units to customers amid growing demand.
The recall is related to a safety issue, where the pedal pad can dislodge and become trapped by the interior trim, causing the pedal to become stuck and leading to unintentional acceleration. The NHTSA has warned that this can increase the risk of a crash. In response to the recall, Cybertruck owners can take their vehicles to their nearest dealership for the fix, which involves drilling a hole and installing a rivet to secure the pedal cover.
The fix is a relatively simple procedure that, according to reports, has been carried out by engineers and verified through videos shared on social media. The process begins with placing a drilling jig over the pedal to ensure that the rivet is placed in the center. While the recall is related to an issue with the pedal pad, it is unclear whether this fix will also become part of the Cybertruck’s manufacturing process going forward or if Tesla will develop a different design for future production.
Tesla Recalls Cybertruck to Fix Accelerator Pedal Issue
This recall is not the first issue that Tesla has faced with the Cybertruck. Last week, a Cybertruck owner shared a video on TikTok showing how the cover of his vehicle’s accelerator pedal slipped forward and became wedged under a part of the interior, causing the pedal to jam and accelerate. In the video, the driver indicates that he was able to override the accelerator by braking, but the Cybertruck kept accelerating whenever he took his foot off the brake. He eventually managed to free the pedal, allowing him to stop safely.
According to the NHTSA, the issue was caused by an unapproved change that introduced lubricant (soap) to aid in the assembly of the pad onto the accelerator pedal. Residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal, leading to the safety issue.
As the latest development in the Cybertruck saga, this recall highlights the importance of rigorous quality control and attention to detail in the production process. Tesla has faced criticism in the past for its lack of transparency and hasty decisions, which have led to issues with its products and manufacturing processes. This recall serves as a reminder that even technological innovators like Tesla must prioritize safety and quality above all else.
