
Tesla allegedly slows Cybertruck deliveries because body panels can fall off at speed
Back in February, YouTuber and Cybertruck enthusiast Reid Tomasko called attention to an important issue. As a shop owner who almost exclusively wraps Teslas, he noticed a disturbing issue common in Cybertrucks: the body panels would simply fall off or be easily pulled off while wrapping.
He submitted a video to Road & Track of a body panel flying off of his EV while on the highway and flying into another lane. Back then, he said he experienced “30 to 35” Cybertrucks where that’s happened. For a truck that costs around six figures, it’s quite dangerous (not to mention frustrating).
“Based on research and responses that I’ve had to the video, it seems that something, the glue is not flexing with the panels, so what happens is the stainless steel seems to flex when it gets cold when it gets cold and hot, but the glue that they use is kind of brittle, so my guess is the glue is separating,” Tomasko told the outlet a month ago.
“Also, I have a friend with an earlier build than mine, and he lives in Vermont; I live in New Hampshire, he lives in Vermont, so we’re both in cold climates. His truck, his is fine, same amount of miles and everything, his is fine, but then mine is falling apart,” he continued. “So I don’t quite know, maybe it’s a glue batch that was incorrectly made — I don’t know.”
Evidence suggests Tesla may be pausing Cybertruck deliveries for “additional inspections”
In March, some owners are taking to social media to report that their Cybertruck delivery was delayed for “additional inspections.” Could it be a coincidence that it comes after the publication released Tomasko’s story? Maybe not.
Many owners who’ve reported a delay weren’t given a reason as to why their trucks were delayed. One owner, however, told Road & Track that a service advisor said the “cantrail concern” was the cause of the delay.
The cantrail, for those who aren’t savvy, is the piece that follows the Cybertruck’s roofline. It starts at the edge of the A-pillar and ends at the edge of the bed. There are now four official complaints with the NHTSA about it.
It’s important to note, though, no official recalls have been issued by either the NHTSA or Tesla. Delays were reported by would-be owners.