Cybertrucks Nearly All Recalled Amid Intensifying Backlash Against Elon Musk

Tesla is once again under the spotlight, and not in a good way. On Thursday, U.S. safety regulators issued a sweeping recall that affects virtually all Tesla Cybertrucks currently on the road—a development that marks the eighth such recall since deliveries of the vehicle began just over a year ago. With more than 46,000 units affected, this move underscores growing concerns about Tesla’s quality control, particularly at a time when CEO Elon Musk is facing increasing public and political backlash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officially announced the recall, citing a critical safety defect. The problem lies in an exterior component known as the cant rail assembly—a stainless steel strip running along both the left and right sides of the windshield.

This component, which connects the windshield to the roof, has been found to detach while the vehicle is in motion. According to the NHTSA, such detachment poses a serious risk to other drivers, increasing the likelihood of dangerous accidents on the road.

This alarming vulnerability is traced to the adhesive used in securing the panel to the truck’s body. Tesla originally employed a structural adhesive, but NHTSA found that the adhesive was prone to “environmental embrittlement,” meaning it could weaken when exposed to certain weather or temperature conditions. Tesla's proposed fix includes replacing the faulty panel with one that uses a more durable adhesive, reinforced for added security.

The company will carry out these replacements at no cost to Cybertruck owners. Official notification letters are expected to be mailed out by May 19, 2025.

The scale of this recall is massive, covering all Cybertrucks from the 2024 and 2025 model years that were manufactured between November 13, 2023, and February 27, 2025. This timeline makes it clear that the issue has been present from the earliest stages of the vehicle's production.

Tesla reportedly became aware of the defect earlier this year, though it remains unclear how long the problem persisted before being formally addressed.

The situation has only been exacerbated by social media. In recent days, several viral videos have surfaced online showing individuals easily ripping off the Cybertruck’s exterior panels with their bare hands.

These videos have ignited widespread ridicule and concern across various platforms, with many questioning how such a glaring flaw made it past Tesla’s quality assurance processes.

This is not the first time the Cybertruck has been caught in a web of safety concerns. Since its highly publicized rollout in late 2023, the vehicle has been recalled eight separate times, each involving potentially serious issues. In one case, a defective electric inverter could cause the drive wheels to suddenly lose power—an issue discovered in November.

Just a few months later, in April, Tesla had to recall the truck again to fix acceleration pedals that could become stuck in the interior trim. Additional recalls have involved problems with windshield wipers, the display screen, and other core components that are essential for safe operation.

The string of recalls paints a troubling picture for the futuristic vehicle that was once hailed as a revolutionary leap in electric automotive design. The Cybertruck’s aggressive styling, armored body, and bold promises initially captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts and Tesla loyalists alike. But as the months have passed, those high hopes have increasingly been met with disillusionment and skepticism.

This latest crisis comes at a particularly sensitive time for Elon Musk. Since President Donald Trump took office, Musk has taken on a more prominent governmental role, leading the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. This department, tasked with slashing federal spending and streamlining bureaucracies, has put Musk in the national spotlight in ways beyond his automotive ventures.

However, his elevated public profile has also made him a lightning rod for criticism. Opponents argue that Musk’s growing influence within the federal government raises ethical concerns and may be contributing to lapses in oversight in his own companies.

For critics, the repeated failures of the Cybertruck are more than just technical glitches—they are symbolic of what they view as Musk’s overreach and overconfidence. “When you try to revolutionize everything at once, you end up breaking everything,” one industry observer commented online.

Musk’s supporters, however, continue to stand by him, arguing that innovation always comes with setbacks and that Tesla remains a leader in pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can do.

But even loyalists are beginning to express frustration. The sheer number of recalls in such a short time frame is difficult to dismiss.

With over 46,000 Cybertrucks affected by this latest action, the scale of disruption is enormous. Owners now face the inconvenience of repairs, concerns about vehicle safety, and the tarnishing of a brand that once prided itself on cutting-edge excellence.

For Tesla, the road ahead is filled with challenges. Each new recall chips away at consumer confidence and market credibility. The company must now work quickly not only to fix the cant rail panel issue but also to reassure customers and investors that such oversights will not be repeated.

The Cybertruck was meant to be a symbol of innovation—a bold new chapter in Tesla’s journey. Instead, it’s rapidly becoming a cautionary tale about the cost of moving too fast and cutting corners in the race to disrupt.

As the May recall notification deadline approaches, the spotlight on Tesla will only intensify. Whether the company can recover from this latest blow remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Cybertruck, once a symbol of bold ambition, is now mired in controversy. And for Elon Musk, who finds himself simultaneously at the center of political power and public scrutiny, the pressure has never been higher.