Tesla Recalls Cybertruck for Stuck Accelerator Pedal

The recall impacts 3,878 vehicles, representing 100% of Cybertrucks Tesla delivered

Tesla has announced another massive recall after a critical design flaw in its Cybertruck. The company sanctioned the latest substantial recall of its vehicles this year after numerous consumers reported the issue, an accelerator pedal mechanism that causes it to get stuck. It affects every Cybertruck delivered so far, an issue that has significant implications for product liability and consumer safety. Experts claim the issue could lead to catastrophic car accidents if not corrected.

The recall is another black eye for Tesla and their much-maligned Cybertruck, whose price tag can hit $100,000. A pet project of Tesla owner Elon Musk, the Cybertruck, or the supposed “best off-road vehicle ever made,” has been plagued by controversy. Heavily criticized since its concept unveiling in 2019, the project has been called “ridiculous” and “dystopian.”

What is the Problem with Tesla’s Cybertruck?

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report states that the core issue can result in the Cybertruck’s pedal pad dislodging and becoming trapped in the vehicle’s interior trim when “high force is applied.” This leaves the accelerator in the “on” position, something that at least two Cybertruck drivers have reported on.

Tesla claims the pedal pad’s deficiency was caused by an “unapproved change” that introduced “lubricant,” in this case, soap during the truck’s assembly. Workers reportedly used soap to help affix the pad onto the pedal. Since traces of that lubricant remained, the problem started manifesting. The NHTSA’s official notice mentions that “residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal during the assembly of the accelerator pedals, which reduced the retention of the pad.”

Fortunately, the truck’s brakes still work if the accelerator pedal becomes trapped, making an emergency stop possible. Cybertruck drivers have stated that the defect can be stopped to some extent by “pressing and holding the brake pedal and then putting the Cybertruck in park.” From there, the driver must reach into the vehicle’s footwell and free the accelerator manually.

Were a problem of this magnitude to happen to a moving Cybertruck, it’s not hard to imagine the danger to both driver and other vehicles.

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What Led to Tesla’s Cybertruck Recall?

According to reports, the NHTSA first notified Tesla of the defective accelerator pedals on March 31st, followed by a second report on April 3rd. From there, Tesla completed internal assessments on April 12th to find the cause before voluntarily issuing a recall. As a result, new Cybertruck orders have been canceled or stalled. This seemed to indicate that a recall would be all but guaranteed.

It comes at a bad time for Tesla, with layoffs looming and profits down. After the recall was announced, Tesla’s stock dropped for a sixth day straight. These losses have contributed to Tesla’s total share price declining by around 43% for the year.

It’s not all bad news for the makers of Cybertruck, however. The company took a responsible approach and voluntarily issued a recall. Additionally, the Musk-led company isn’t aware of any collisions, injuries, or fatalities attributed to the defective pedals as of Monday, April 15th. Tesla also notified consumers that any Cybertruck produced after April 17, would already have a new accelerator component and part number equipped.

Who is Affected by the Cybertruck Recall?

The [Cybertruck] recall impacts “all Model Year (‘MY’) 2024 Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024.” Sales figures indicate that this is essentially every Cybertruck sold to customers since its launch last year.

Cybertruck Owner Jose Martinez told Forbes that part of his vehicle’s pedal was sliding off. This defect caused the car to “lurch forward at full throttle” on its own. Martinez claims, “It held the accelerator down 100 percent at full throttle,” and demonstrated the issue in a video on his social media.

@el.chepito1985 serious problem with my Cybertruck and potential all Cybertrucks #tesla #cyberbeast #cybertruck #stopsale #recall ♬ original sound – el.chepito

Is There a Fix for the Cybertruck?

Tesla notified its dealerships and service centers of the issue “on or around” April 19th. Since then, they’ve committed to replacing or reworking the pedals on the recalled vehicles for free. Cybertruck owners who may not have heard of the issue, will be notified through letters in June. Tesla’s goal is to fit every Cybertruck produced from November 2024 to April 2024 with a new pedal.

While some Tesla recalls are software fixes that can be issued over-the-air, meaning repairs can be made via download update and don’t require a trip to the service center, the Cybertruck requires a physical repair. Tesla has released a five-page service bulletin detailing the fixes necessary for the truck and the tools needed. It includes a “pedal rework kit” with a drilling jig. Once the jig is slipped over the top of the pedal, it allows the Tesla mechanic to drill a hole through the pedal to place the rivet.

A Cybertruck driver who has had their truck fixed already shared that the fix takes “35 seconds.” According to Aaron Cash, the fix is essentially “a rivet through the pedal preventing the pad from slipping off.”

Cybertruck drivers who want more information about the recall can visit Tesla’s recall page. The recall page details the reasons behind Cybertruck’s retirement from the current market. Owners may contact Tesla’s customer service at 1-877-798-3752 and reference recall number SB-24-33-003. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Other Tesla Vehicle and Legal Issues

Tesla’s cybertruck has been criticized since its launch for its unusual manufacturing process. The vehicle has also faced derision for its supposed problems with rust and potentially finger-pinching trunks. But despite its many problems, they aren’t the only ones Tesla has on its plate. It only adds to the ever-growing list of lawsuits plaguing the company for failings regarding safety issues and concerns. One of these lawsuits opens the company up to a substantial multi-million dollar judgment potentially going against it.

• Beginning last year, more than 2 million Tesla vehicles were recalled in December 2023 to fix a flaw in its Autopilot system. Regulators found it failed to adequately detect if the driver was paying attention while the self-driving system was engaged.
• Over 2 million Teslas were recalled in February 2024 due to issues with a warning light.
• In January 2024, the company recalled nearly 200,000 vehicles—including Model S, X, and Y cars—because of rearview camera display issues stemming from a software issue.
• In a story this blog has reported on, a judge recently ruled that Tesla must face race bias class action by 6,000 Black US workers in a racial discrimination class action lawsuit.
  • Tesla is alleged to have failed to address rampant race discrimination and harassment at its Fremont, CA plant.
• The plaintiff, former assembly line worker Marcus Vaughn, first sued in 2017. Vaughn alleges that Black factory workers were subjected to a range of racist conduct including slurs, graffiti, and nooses hung at their workstations.

Get Help with Your Product Liability Claim Today!

The Tesla Cyber Truck recall and the intricate legal terrain surrounding product liability encapsulate the significance of securing robust legal support to navigate the complexities of such challenging scenarios. For individuals impacted by the Tesla Cybertruck recall, seeking personalized legal assistance is critical. This ensures that their rights are safeguarded and they receive equitable compensation for any damages resulting from the recall.

Whether you’ve been the victim of a faulty accelerator or malfunctioning autopilot, we can help. Adamson Ahdoot remains your best choice for fighting against big companies like Tesla.

Adamson Ahdoot is a California personal injury law firm with over 100 years of combined experience. Based in Los Angeles, we are considered one of the top law firms in the state. Our experience and expertise have secured millions of dollars for thousands of injured victims in Los Angeles and California.

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