On March 18, 2025, Tesla filed a voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), targeting 46,096 Cybertrucks due to a cosmetic exterior trim panel—known as the cant rail—that can “delaminate and detach” while driving. Affecting all Cybertrucks built between November 13, 2023, and February 27, 2025, this recall underscores ongoing manufacturing hiccups for Tesla’s angular, steel-clad pickup. With the company’s stock down 40% year-to-date and CEO Elon Musk embroiled in political controversy, the recall adds to Tesla’s mounting challenges. Here’s the latest on this recall and its broader implications.
The Recall Details: Cant Rail Woes
The cant rail, a stainless-steel panel along the Cybertruck’s exterior, is affixed with structural adhesive and fasteners. Per the NHTSA filing, “the adhesive used to hold the piece can fail,” risking detachment that could create a road hazard and heighten crash likelihood. Tesla estimates 1% of the recalled vehicles—roughly 460 units—may be affected, though it reports no crashes, injuries, or fatalities tied to the issue. Owners can get free replacements at Tesla service centers, with notification letters due May 19, 2025.
This marks the ninth Cybertruck recall since deliveries began in November 2023, per NHTSA records. Past issues include stuck accelerator pedals (April 2024), faulty wipers and loose trim (June 2024), and rearview camera delays (October 2024). With 46,000+ vehicles involved, this recall covers most Cybertrucks on the road, though Tesla doesn’t disclose model-specific sales. Posts on X and forums like Cybertruck Owners Club have highlighted owner frustrations, with videos of peeling panels circulating widely.
Tesla’s Tough 2025: Stock Slump and Musk’s Political Spotlight
Tesla’s stock has cratered 40% in 2025, dropping from $405 in late 2024 to around $243 as of March 20, per market data. Analysts attribute this to intensified EV competition from BYD and legacy automakers, an aging lineup, and backlash against Musk’s role as a top advisor to President Donald Trump. Leading the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk’s push for federal job cuts has sparked protests at Tesla stores and vandalism of Cybertrucks—whose unpainted, futuristic design makes them lightning rods for critics. X posts note incidents of rude gestures and keyed panels, reflecting public ire.
Trump’s recent executive orders imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—key supply chain hubs—add trade uncertainty, squeezing Tesla alongside Detroit’s Big Three. Meanwhile, The Information reported Thursday that Tesla aims to roll out cost-cutting battery tech for the Cybertruck later in 2025, a potential lifeline amid these woes.
Quality Control vs. Market Ambitions
Since its debut, the Cybertruck has battled production delays and quality issues, from battery constraints to this latest adhesive failure. While Tesla delivered 386,810 vehicles in Q1 2024, analysts estimate Cybertruck sales at 39,000–50,000 to date—significant but dwarfed by Model Y and 3 numbers. The recall won’t tank Tesla’s Q1 2025 financials (due April 23), as Morningstar’s Seth Goldstein notes its minor sales impact, but it dents the Cybertruck’s halo as a growth driver. Owners on X have mixed reactions: some shrug off recalls as “early adopter quirks,” while others slam Tesla’s “rushed” build quality.
What’s Next for Tesla and Cybertruck Owners?
Tesla’s offering free cant rail replacements, urging owners to call 1-877-798-3752 (recall ID: SB-25-10-001) or NHTSA’s hotline (888-327-4236) with concerns. The recall stemmed from NHTSA talks after a February 21 owner complaint, with Tesla identifying 151 warranty claims by March 11. As the company refines its $79,990–$102,000 truck, the battery tech upgrade could bolster margins—if it delivers on time.
For now, Tesla faces a triple threat: quality stumbles, market headwinds, and Musk’s polarizing orbit. Can the Cybertruck shed its recall-prone reputation and reclaim its buzz? Q1 earnings and owner feedback will tell. Stay tuned as Tesla navigates this rocky road in 2025.
