Tesla Cybertruck sticky accelerator pedal sparks recall

First introduced in 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck didn't start deliveries until the end of November 2023. Despite the lengthy delay manufacturing capacity was still very low at the time, but Elon Musk committed to reaching 250,000 annual capacity by 2025. And if you are wondering how much progress has Tesla made in the meantime the answer is very little.

In the four and a half months since the delivery event Tesla sold 3,878 Cybertrucks. That's an average of 27.5 per day and a far cry from the 700 daily target Musk said Tesla will be chasing. The number was revealed by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the Cybertruck hit yet another bump on the road.

Tesla is issuing a recall on all Cybertrucks manufactured to date due to a potentially hazardous accelerator pedal. Apprently the accelerator pedal pad can dislodge and become trapped in the surrounding interior trim, increasing the risk of an accident.

The NHTSA confirmed that applying the brake pedal does mitigate the situation, cutting engine power and bringing the vehicle to a stop even with the accelerator engaged. However, this isn't a viable long-term solution. Tesla has opted to act swiftly by initiating the large-scale recall.

The root cause behind this unexpected defect is somewhat surprising – soap. Tesla admits to utilizing a lubricant, likely a soap-based solution, during the accelerator pedal assembly process. Intended to ease installation, this "unapproved change" compromised the pad's attachment to the pedal, leading to the potential dislodgement.

Tesla now offers a no-cost fix by replacing or modifying the accelerator pedal assembly in the affected vehicles. New Cybertrucks rolling off the production line after April 17 already come with the redesigned part. The company is also fixing units that are in transit or awaiting delivery.

This incident began with two customer complaints in March. Tesla took action, conducting extensive analysis before deciding to recall all vehicles on April 12. The proactive approach, prioritizing driver safety, is commendable.

The Cybertruck recall isn't the only challenge Tesla has faced recently. Layoffs, executive departures, and a legal battle over CEO Elon Musk's compensation package all contributed to a turbulent week for the company.

Via