The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck has been one of the most anticipated electric vehicles, drawing attention for its futuristic design and innovative features. However, early owners and reviewers have identified several critical issues that potential buyers should be aware of before making a purchase. Here are ten significant problems with the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck that you need to know.
1. The Death Frunk
The front trunk, or “frunk,” in the Cybertruck has garnered a lot of attention, but not all of it is positive. Tests involving carrots placed in the open frunk frame revealed that the frunk lid closes with such force that it slices through the carrot every time. This has led to concerns about safety, as the Cybertruck appears to lack sensors to detect obstructions when the frunk is closing. Tesla owners have reported injuries, including one who needed stitches after getting cut by a door corner. The owner’s manual does warn about closing the doors cautiously and keeping fingers away from panel edges, but these precautions may not be enough to prevent injuries from the Cybertruck’s sharp edges.
Moreover, another Tesla owner shared a harrowing experience of getting a nasty cut on his leg while getting out of his Cybertruck on an incline. He mentioned that the corner of the door isn’t particularly sharp, but because he closed it with force, it caused a pretty bad cut. The owner’s manual advises using caution around the panel edges on the Cybertruck, including the doors, powered frunk, tailgate, and surrounding panels.
It also suggests always grasping the door at the top when opening it and keeping hands and fingers away from the edges. Another forum member mentioned cutting himself accidentally while washing the car, indicating that the sharp edges can really draw blood.
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2. Accelerator Pedal Issue
Tesla has issued a recall for the 2024 Cybertruck due to a serious accelerator pedal problem. The pedal pad can detach and get wedged by the interior trim, causing the truck to accelerate uncontrollably. This defect is particularly dangerous given the Cybertruck’s significant weight and quick acceleration. Nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks manufactured between November 2023 and April 2024 are affected. Tesla plans to notify owners and replace or repair the pedal assembly at no cost. However, this recall has led to a pause in deliveries, affecting future Cybertruck owners and causing a noticeable drop in Tesla’s stock value.
This recall is exclusively for the 2024 model year, affecting all Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13th, 2023, and April 4th, 2024. Owners who receive these notifications are advised to bring the cars into a service center as soon as possible.
Tesla plans to replace or repair the pedal assembly at no cost to the owners. As a result of this recall, all Cybertruck deliveries have also been paused, and some future Cybertruck owners had their orders pushed back. While recalls are common in the auto industry, a stop-sale order is a significant setback. Tesla just started delivering its Cybertruck late last year after a two-year delay caused by production issues and battery supply constraints. This recall and the announcement of stopping sales had a noticeable impact on Tesla’s market value as a company, causing the stock to drop about 14%.
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3. Electrical Problems
Electrical issues have been a major headache for some Cybertruck owners. A forum user reported that their new truck failed within a mile of driving, showing a steering error and a flashing red screen. Attempts to restart the vehicle were unsuccessful, leaving the owner stranded and needing a tow. This incident highlights potential reliability issues that could leave drivers in precarious situations.
On the CybertruckOwnersClub.com forum, in a thread titled “Worst Delivery in My Life: Truck Died in 5 Minutes,” a Southern California-based owner shared his nightmare experience. He got his new truck, took it out for a drive the same day, and it didn’t even make it a mile before things went south. He got a steering error and a flashing red screen, had to pull over and call for a tow truck. The dealer couldn’t help either; they tried to restart the car, but the screen was stuck black and kept beeping, and nothing really worked anymore.
4. Massive Windshield Design Flaw
Here’s the deal with the Cybertruck’s windshield: it’s huge and almost horizontal, which in the blazing sun doesn’t mix well with its all-black interior. Just imagine driving with the sun glaring through that massive windshield, feeling like you’re on a slow roast. And cranking the AC? Sure, but that’s going to eat into your battery life.
Adjusting the AC vents is also cumbersome, as it requires navigating a settings menu on the main screen instead of a simple manual adjustment. Moreover, the sun visors do not provide full coverage, allowing blinding sunlight to enter. Charging the Cybertruck in the sun can also lead to interior temperatures exceeding 130°F, though Tesla’s remote AC function and dog mode offer some relief.
Reports also show that charging the car in the sun can make the inside feel like an oven at over 130°F. Thankfully, Elon Musk thought about this with his remote AC function, window controls, and even the dog mode. However, what he didn’t think of was the good old sun visors and their actual usefulness. Unlike in other cars, the sun visors in the Cybertruck don’t cover the entire windshield when you use them. They let in a whole lot of sunshine to blind you from the top. Yes, it does have some extra tint up at the top, but still, that’s not enough.
5. Fast Charging on a Non-Tesla Plug is a Nightmare
While Tesla provides adapters for some slow chargers’ plugs you can find in the US, using non-Tesla fast chargers with a CCS plug can be problematic for Cybertruck owners. The necessary adapter costs $250 and may not work due to the Cybertruck’s large plastic fenders. This limitation restricts charging options significantly, especially since more than 60% of public fast-charging plugs in the US are Tesla’s. Not being able to use the remaining chargers can be a significant inconvenience.
All Tesla cars come with an adapter for some of the slow chargers’ plugs you can find in the US, but some non-Tesla fast chargers use a CCS type of plug, which used to be the standard before most automakers switched to Tesla’s plugs. To use those chargers, you’ll need a different adapter that Tesla sells for $250.
Okay, not that much of a problem considering you already splashed more than $80,000 on the car, but here’s the catch: this different adapter doesn’t work with the Cybertruck because of its big plastic fenders. Some other Tesla models even need a service appointment to get it to work. According to the Department of Energy, there are over 40,000 public fast-charging plugs in the US, and more than 60% are Tesla’s. So, while all Tesla’s plugs are the top choice, not being able to use the others is definitely a headache.
6. Fragile Wheel Covers
The Cybertruck’s wheel covers, designed for aerodynamics, protrude past the tires, making them highly susceptible to damage from curbs. Given the truck’s size and maneuverability challenges, avoiding curb contact is nearly impossible. This design flaw can lead to frequent damage, which is particularly frustrating for owners who have spent a significant amount of money on their vehicles.
Almost every electric vehicle these days has wheel covers. Like them or not, they make the car more aerodynamic by reducing drag. Drag is a range killer, so these wheel covers will help you get more range out of your electric car. And sometimes, they even look cool.
The Cybertruck’s wheel covers are something else, though. Their design is strange, to say the least. You can either love it or hate it, but besides how they look, the wheel covers on the Cybertruck stick out past the tire. So, even the slightest touch against a curb would leave a mark. And let’s face it: the Cybertruck’s size and not-so-great maneuverability will make it impossible not to hit curbs all the time. If you’re spending $100,000 on a truck, you probably have a garage. But what about when you want to hit that trendy downtown restaurant with only street parking? Are you really going to trust the valet with your Cybertruck?
7. Critical Steering Issue Detected
Many Cybertruck owners have reported critical steering issues shortly after delivery. The error message “Pull Over Safely: Critical Steering Issue Detected” indicates a high voltage system error, often leaving drivers stranded. Tesla service centers have traced this to a low voltage harness issue, requiring the car to be towed for repairs. While some owners have managed to temporarily fix the issue by restarting the car, the problem tends to recur, causing ongoing frustration.
Cybertruck owners are flooding the internet with reports of a critical steering issue just days after receiving their cars from the dealership. The error message typically says “Pull Over Safely: Critical Steering Issue Detected,” indicating a high voltage system error that requires service.
Apparently, this can leave you on the side of the road, unable to restart the truck and continue your journey. Tesla’s service centers have identified the problem as a low voltage harness connecting the ancillary bay, so you need to have the car towed to the Tesla service stations so their technicians can replace the ancillary bay at no cost to you.
Other owners were luckier because they could restart the car and continue their journey. They got out of the car, locked the car, and waited for a few seconds, then they’d go back in and start the car, and it would work fine. However, sometimes they had to repeat this procedure a couple of times before the car would start. Nevertheless, the problem would still come back randomly. It’s just so sad, especially when you splashed out almost $100,000 or more on the car. And the funniest thing is that the Cybertruck manual does advise you to act like this. It suggests to clear the alert by getting out and back in. If the alert doesn’t pop up again, you can keep on driving.
8. Plagued by Rust, Fingerprints, and Uneven Surfaces
Despite its stainless steel construction, the Cybertruck is prone to rust, especially when exposed to corrosive substances like grease, oil, and tree resin. Owners have reported rust spots appearing after driving in the rain, along with fingerprints that are hard to clean off. Additionally, the truck’s exterior often shows misaligned doors and uneven surfaces, detracting from its sleek design. Elon Musk’s demand for sub-10 micron accuracy in manufacturing has proven challenging, resulting in noticeable quality issues.
Tesla Cybertruck may be the new cool kid on the block, but some owners are already noticing their stainless steel rides starting to rust. Even the Tesla Cybertruck manual admits the steel panels can be affected by corrosive substances like grease, oil, tree resin, and dead insects.
The manual advises washing these off promptly to avoid corrosion. Just months after purchase, owners are posting images on social media and other forums showing orange rust spots appearing on their new EVs after driving in the rain for some time. Other new Cybertruck owners mentioned that they didn’t notice any rust spots but were surprised by how easily the stainless steel shows handprints, a problem typically seen with stainless steel appliances, not cars.
Beyond rust and fingerprints, the Cybertruck faces a more significant exterior issue. Misaligned doors and uneven surfaces make the vehicle look wobbly and odd, far from the sleek angular renders that Tesla had showcased in the past. According to Elon Musk himself, the bright metal construction and straight edges make every minor inconsistency look like a big deal. To tackle this, he demanded unparalleled precision in manufacturing, insisting that all parts of the car, whether manufactured internally or from suppliers, need to be designed and built to sub-10 micron accuracy.
We’re talking super minuscule detailed precision that specialists don’t believe is possible. Maybe Elon likes to talk too much. You know, the Cybertruck’s issues are so random they speak more about poor quality than anything else. We’ve seen reports from owners who had to deal with strange creaking noises coming up from the center console, tailgate buttons occasionally becoming unresponsive, or even a rattling gear selector. Another owner who casually stopped for a car wash after a long day of work couldn’t start his car anymore. He had to do a complete system reboot, which took more than 5 hours.
9. Charging Issues
Owners have reported fluctuating charging rates, with the Cybertruck sometimes charging as low as 19 miles per hour. Tests with other Tesla models on the same wall connector showed consistent rates, indicating that the issue lies with the Cybertruck itself. This inconsistency can be frustrating, especially for owners who rely on predictable charging times.
Current Cybertruck owners have also reported charging issues with their Cybertrucks, noting unusual fluctuations in the charging rate. The rates would drop as low as 19 MPH and rise to 35 MPH. To investigate, one owner disconnected the Cybertruck and charged their Model S using the same wall connector, which had been installed for several years and had never presented any issues.
The Model S charged consistently at 33 to 35 MPH, indicating that the wall connector and electrical setup were functioning correctly. However, when reconnecting the Cybertruck, the fluctuating charge rates persisted, varying between 19 and 27 MPH throughout the session. This issue appears to be exclusive to the Cybertruck.
10. Insufficient Range
Despite Tesla’s promises of a 320-mile range, real-world tests and owner reports suggest otherwise. In a controlled test, a Cybertruck managed only 254 miles on a full charge, translating to slightly over 2 miles per kilowatt-hour. Some owners have reported even lower ranges, around 206 miles, far below the advertised figures. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between Tesla’s marketing and the actual performance of the Cybertruck.
One of the most anticipated features of the Tesla Cybertruck was its impressive range, with the company promising up to 320 miles per charge. However, recent tests and owner reports suggest that the reality might fall short of these expectations. In recent tests, a Cybertruck with an indicated 124 kWh of battery capacity managed just 254 miles before running out of juice.
This translates to a little over 2 miles per kWh, slightly better than the Hummer EV’s estimated 1.48 miles per kWh but just below the F-150 Lightning’s 2.29 miles per kWh. This specific test involved setting the truck on cruise control at 70 MPH and it was done at night to remove any impact from the weather and traffic. Even so, the Cybertruck fell short of its advertised range. Moreover, the truck even began to struggle a few miles before officially running out of charge, as it couldn’t maintain highway speeds and had to be pulled off the highway. Interestingly, it continued to run at highway speeds showing 0% state of charge for several miles, which indicates Tesla is pessimistic when it comes to real-time range calculations.
Better safe than sorry. Reports from the Cybertruck Owners Club forum show even lower range figures. Some owners who have already accumulated significant mileage reported achieving only about 206 miles on a full charge. That’s way less than the advertised 320 miles. These findings suggest that while the Cybertruck might outperform some competitors in terms of efficiency, its real-world range is still a significant step down from Tesla’s initial claims. As more data from owners and further tests become available, and as the hype tones down, we come to see that the actual capabilities of the Cybertruck don’t live up to its reputation.
My Final Thoughts
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, while groundbreaking in design and concept, has several significant issues that potential buyers need to consider. From safety concerns and electrical problems to design flaws and performance shortfalls, these problems highlight the challenges Tesla faces in delivering a reliable and user-friendly electric truck.
As more data and owner experiences come to light, it becomes clear that the Cybertruck may not fully live up to its hype and reputation. Potential buyers should weigh these factors carefully before making a purchase decision.
Tesla UGLY piece of sh-t !! BURN GAS !!!!!!