A viral video of a Tesla Cybertruck owner explaining a problem with his accelerator pedal has piqued the interest of a federal vehicle safety agency.
The incident comes as Tesla has paused deliveries of its Cybertruck without offering much of an explanation.
The chain of events began Thursday when Jose Martinez said he was driving his six-day-old Cybertruck on a Southern California drag strip, according to CNBC.
The truck started to accelerate on its own until Martinez braked, stopped the car and saw that a rubber cover on the accelerator was loose.
Cybertruck has a SERIOUS ⚠️ design flaw all owner need to check ASAP causing unintended acceleration 😱 due to the cheap design of the accelerator pedal (no fasteners 🔩), the cover may separate and get stuck behind the trim, which had potentially lead to several accidents. This… pic.twitter.com/fWRHaMimS8
— 🛞Garage Klub (@garageklub) April 14, 2024
“The moment I let go of the brake, it would lurch forward at full throttle again,” Martinez said. “I had space where I could figure out what was going on. It wasn’t a situation where there were cars in front of me or a building or a tree.”
In a TikTok video, he demonstrated that the cover had wedged itself into the trim under the dashboard and was holding down the accelerator. The video has been watched more than 2 million times.
Between the time of the incident and the video he made Sunday, Martinez said he heard Tesla was pausing Cybertruck deliveries.
Would you ever purchase a Tesla?
Tesla has not announced a recall or official pause in deliveries.
The website Teslarati has reproduced what it says are messages from Tesla to customers canceling delivery appointments without providing a reason.
That report was posted Saturday, citing cancellations made on Friday before Martinez made his TikTok video, but after his incident with the accelerator pedal.
Other unofficial sources are stoking conversation that the pause and the accelerator issue are linked, including an unverified comment that a sticky accelerator led to an owner’s Cybertruck hitting a light pole.
Martinez said he was able to drive without the accelerator cover.
“Other than this, it’s a pretty solidly-built car,” Martinez said. “I know saying ‘Other than this’ makes it sound like it’s not major, and it is.
“Because it is such a massive car, and it’s got such a great amount of power, I do feel like things in regard to safety definitely need to be a priority in getting it addressed and fixed,” he said.
A representative of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said, “NHTSA is aware of this issue and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information.”
Road & Track added one explanatory note: “Notably, NHTSA is not officially investigating or probing the Tesla Cybertruck at this time.”
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FAQs
The recall comes after a new Tesla owner shared the design flaw in a video, claiming the pedal cover slipped forward and wedged the accelerator under the interior that was held down 100 percent.
What is the fatal flaw in the Cybertruck? ›
Discover the shocking flaw in the Cybertruck's gas pedal that has caused a complete recall. Learn how a simple action can result in severe finger injuries. Stay informed and safe.
What went wrong with the Tesla Cybertruck? ›
Cybertruck owners reported that their vehicles were at risk of getting stuck driving at full speed due to a loose accelerator pedal. Video showed the pedal itself falling off and the piece beneath wedging itself into the car's interior, which would force the vehicle into maximum acceleration.
Is the Cybertruck a flop? ›
The Cybertruck's failure is now complete. Tesla's latest vehicle was widely mocked even before its accelerator pedal problem. Now it's a national joke. The Tesla Cybertruck was supposed to stop bullets.
What is wrong with the gas pedal on the Cybertruck? ›
The company is recalling 3,878 Cybertrucks due to several complaints of a manufacturing error, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The accelerator pedal can get stuck, putting drivers at risk of a crash, the advisory states.
Why Tesla has suspended Cybertruck deliveries but the cause is unknown? ›
Tesla has not announced an official stop sale or recall, and as of now, the reason for the suspended deliveries is unknown. But it's possible the electric pickup truck has a problem with its accelerator. Tesla has been accused of making cars that have sudden unintended acceleration problems.
How much is the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck? ›
The price of the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck starts at $81,895 and goes up to $101,985 depending on the trim and options. Until the rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck arrives for the next model year, with a starting price of $62,985, the lineup only includes the Dual Motor and Beast models.
Can a Cybertruck go through a car wash? ›
A high-quality microfiber cleaning cloth is recommended. If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Cybertruck.
Does the Cybertruck rust in the rain? ›
A Cybertruck engineer, Wes Morrill, commented on concerns the EV develops rust spots in the rain. Morrill said the orange specks, merely the size of a pinhead, were probably surface contamination.
What are the negatives of the Cybertruck? ›
Cybertruck owners have also reported that the stainless steel panels on their trucks are misaligned. It's a problem that isn't just an issue for the car's looks—it can lead to increased wind noise and possible water leaks.
Cybertruck's stainless-steel skin, however, is harder to form than traditional steel . The difference in mechanical properties comes down to the addition of chromium and nickel which improve corrosion resistance.
How long does a Cybertruck last? ›
Wild. Travel up to 340 miles¹ on a single charge—enough to get you into the backcountry and beyond. Recover up to 136 miles of range with just 15 minutes of Supercharging.
How many cybertrucks have been sold so far? ›
A new recall for every Cybertruck built so far has revealed the automaker has delivered 3,878 electric trucks since December last year, up until April 4. It's a minuscule amount compared to overall truck sales in the US market, but that number looks better compared to direct competitors.
Why do Tesla's have one pedal? ›
'One-pedal driving' doesn't mean there's only one pedal in the footwell of your shiny new electric vehicle (EV). What it does mean is the capability of electric vehicles – and to some extent plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles – offer to use only the accelerator pedal for both speeding up and slowing down.
Why Tesla brakes when not accelerating? ›
Regenerative Braking. Whenever Model Y is moving and your foot is off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows down the vehicle and feeds any surplus power back to the Battery.
Why is there a button behind the gas pedal? ›
The button under the gas pedal is a kick down function. When the accelerator is pressed to the floor the button is activated and it sends a code to the transmission telling it to down shift 1 or 2 gears in order to get maximum acceleration.
How long is waitlist for Cybertruck? ›
It was reported prior to the first Cybertruck deliveries last year that wait times stretched beyond four years – calculated based on the 1 million pre-orders held by the company at the time, and planned annual production of 125,000 vehicles.
What are the complaints about the Cybertruck? ›
It's not unusual for new car and truck models to have some flaws, but the Cybertruck, which has sold only about 4,000 units, was recalled recently because the accelerator had a sticking problem, which is sort of like a parachute having a gaping-hole-in-the-canopy problem.
Can I cancel my Cybertruck? ›
Sign in to your Tesla Account. Select your Cybertruck order and tap 'Manage.' Tap 'Request to Cancel.'
Does a Tesla truck have a bed? ›
Accessing the Cargo Bed. When Cybertruck is parked, use these exterior switches to access the cargo bed: Tonneau Open - Fully press and release to fully open the tonneau cover. Press a second time to pause the cover.
Tesla Model 3 price
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 is the cheapest Tesla car currently offered. The base rear-wheel drive (RWD) trim has an official starting price of $40,240. The Model 3 Long Range is a tad more expensive at $47,240. The most expensive Model 3 is the Performance model, which costs a minimum of $53,240.
How much is the Cybertruck likely to cost? ›
Tesla Cybertruck Rear-Wheel Drive - Price
The rear-wheel drive powertrain Tesla Cybertruck will be available at a purchase price of $60,990, before factoring in any incentives. Tesla says it won't go on sale until later, likely in 2025.
What is the Tesla pedal flaw? ›
Tesla is recalling 3,878 of its 2024 Cybertrucks after it discovered that the accelerator pedal can potentially become stuck in a 'pedal to the metal' position, causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash.
Why is Tesla's Cybertruck so insanely difficult to build? ›
The Cybertruck's flat body panels and vast windshield are not easy to manufacture, Payne said. “It's extremely difficult to make flat and sheer surfaces, because you need a certain amount of shape to hold the [structure]. Also the precision, the very sharp lines, are pretty hard to execute.”
How many miles will a Cybertruck last? ›
Travel up to 340 miles* on a single charge—enough to get you into the backcountry and beyond. Recover up to 136 miles of range with just 15 minutes of Supercharging.
Why is Tesla recalling the Cybertruck? ›
The federal safety agency said all 3,878 Cybertrucks on U.S. roads produced from Nov. 13 to April 4 have the defect, which it said was caused by soap being used as lubricant during assembly at Tesla's factory in Austin, Texas. The residual soap “reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal,” the agency said.
