Tesla, accelerator problems. Recall for 4,000 Cybertrucks

More trouble for Tesla. The world leader in battery-electric cars has launched a recall operation for 3,878 Cybertruck, the Austin-based manufacturer's much-discussed pick-ups, which so far have not turned out to be good business for Tesla in particular. A few months ago, CEO Elon Musk exclaimed during a call, 'we've dug ourselves into a hole with the Cybertruck', blaming the drop in margins, in part, on the expensive production of this enormous vehicle, which weighs three tonnes. In recent months, many customers (the Cybertruck was expected by fans and orders had exceeded one million) had complained about rust stains on the bodywork. Tesla started deliveries of its electric pick-up truck Cybertruck at the end of 2023, after a delay of more than two years due to production and battery supply problems, and a full four years after its presentation. News of the production halt had arrived during the week, asking customers to arm themselves with patience.

This time, unlike others, the problem will not be solved by an over-the-air software update. In fact, an accelerator pedal bearing that could become loose and jammed in the inner lining needs to be repaired, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the US road safety authority, announced on Friday. A jammed accelerator pedal could cause the vehicle to unintentionally accelerate, increasing the risk of an accident, the NHTSA explained in a statement.

Tesla will replace or repair the accelerator pedal assembly free of charge and owners will be informed by letters sent in June, the NHTSA said.

In the first quarter of 2024, the electric vehicle manufacturer carried out three recalls affecting around 2.4 million vehicles, according to a report by recall management company BizzyCar. However, as mentioned, most of Tesla's recall issues are usually resolved through software updates.

In February, Tesla recalled about 2.2 million vehicles in the US due to an incorrect font size of the indicator lights. The proper functioning and use by drivers of the driver assistance system, the Full Self Driving, remains under scrutiny by the authorities, despite a recent settlement that avoided prosecution. In China in January 1.6 million Teslas had to be upgraded for safety reasons due to Autopilot.