The bad news is linked for the American manufacturer. Tesla, a specialist in electric vehicles, recalls more than 46,000 Cybertruck pickup of which body panels are likely to fall due to a glue failure used, announced on Thursday, March 20, the American road safety agency (NHTSA). These are all Cybertruck products since the launch of commercial production in November 2023, AFP Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush, told AFP. “The reinforcement, an outdoor dressing made up of stainless steel panels, can peel off and detach from the vehicle,” said the organization, stating that the group of billionaire Elon Musk was going to replace the defective equipment for free.
The 46,096 copies concerned by this recall were manufactured between November 13, 2023 – when the commercial production of Cybertruck at the futuristic silhouette began – and on February 27, 2025. The manufacturer was alerted to a potential problem on January 7. After investigation, he concluded that the adhesive used to fix this shell of stainless steel was likely to be weakened by external environmental elements. It will be replaced by a less sensitive adhesive, reinforced by a welded half -timbered on the inner part of the steel panels and riveted to the structure of the vehicle.
If panels stand out while the vehicle is circulating, “this can represent a danger on the road for motorists behind and increase the risk of injury or accident,” notes the NHTSA. A partially detached panel can also produce detectable noise in the passenger compartment, she continues. As of March 14, Tesla had received 151 requests for warranty coverage linked to this problem, but was not aware of any accident, death or injuries caused by this detachment. The new process must be integrated into the assembly chain around March 21, and all the vehicles produced but not yet delivered will be readjusted before being given to their owners, adds the NHTSA.
Boycott, vandalism … disenchantment towards Tesla
Note that the vehicle has already been the subject of several reminders. One of them, in June 2024, concerned the dressing of the car transporting skip, which was likely to detach themselves. In November 2024, a lack of a mechanical part was reported that could cause loss of power for the wheels. The brand has undergone for a few weeks the counterposer of the involvement of Elon Musk in the Trump administration, of which it has become an essential cog, especially by animating the commission responsible for drastically reducing the expenses of the federal state (DOGE). “With the return of Donald Trump to power, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, was able to carry out dark cuts in federal agencies and dismiss civil servants, thus stirring against him,” said the New York Times.
Several vehicles, dealers and Tesla charging stations have been vandalized in recent weeks across the United States, but also in Europe. “For some, the break point occurred when Elon Musk made a gesture resembling a fascist salute during a rally celebrating the inauguration of President Trump in January,” continues the New York Times. Boycott calls have been launched against the brand, whose stock market valuation has plunged since December, while its sales are suffering.
“Tesla is going through a crisis and only one person can resolve it … Musk,” said Dan Ives, in a note, evoking a “sword of Damocles” threatening Tesla action. “The image of the brand was limited at the start […] But it has now spread to the global level in recent weeks to turn into a tornado “for Musk and Tesla, he continued. At around 8:35 pm French hour, Tesla action abandoned 0.79 % on the New York Stock Exchange.” The gravity could finally catch up with Elon Musk while Tesla falls “, quips the American channel Cnn.