Tesla announced on Thursday a recall of nearly all Cybertrucks produced to address a potential issue with a stainless steel trim panel, which the company stated could detach while driving. This marks the eighth recall for the distinctive all-electric pickup, which was introduced to U.S. roads slightly over two years ago.
Unlike several other Tesla-related recalls, this issue cannot be resolved via an over-the-air software update; instead, the trucks must be brought into a service center for the necessary repairs. The recall impacts over 46,000 Cybertrucks manufactured between November 2023 and late February 2025.
The recall concerns a cosmetic applique on the vehicle’s exterior that is affixed with an adhesive, as detailed in a filing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. road safety regulator. With affected Cybertrucks, the adhesive can potentially separate, posing a “road hazard” to others and increasing the risk of accidents.
The trim issue initially surfaced in social media posts, and it was reported that Tesla had paused Cybertruck production last week. Tesla indicated in the filing that an investigation into the matter began in early January. The company plans to resolve the issue using an adhesive that is resistant to environmental embrittlement.
Dale Harrow, chair and director of the Intelligent Mobility Design Center at the Royal College of Art London, commented that this latest glue recall for the Cybertruck is “surprising.”
“Glues are more commonly used in car body construction than people realize,” Harrow commented. He noted that using adhesive rather than mechanical fixings like bolts or screws is effective for a lighter construction, a practice adopted by many automakers, including Jaguar, Lexus, and Audi. Therefore, this situation with the Cybertruck is unexpected since it is a well-established practice.
Harrow explained that the auto industry employs various adhesives to bond panels and parts, tailored to specific bonding needs, situations, and materials. The unique aspect of the Cybertruck is its extensive use of stainless steel for the panels.
“Stainless steel is the significant difference,” Harrow remarked, suggesting that might be contributing to the issue, especially in cold weather. He speculated whether the stainless steel is conducting cold more effectively, possibly impacting the curing process of the adhesive.
Harrow hypothesized that inconsistencies on the production line, possibly related to temperature or UV exposure, might be affecting the bond due to the different density of stainless steel compared to standard steel. He expressed confidence that Tesla, given its size and resources, likely possesses the necessary knowledge to rectify the problem, though substantial investigation is required to identify the precise cause.
