Tesla’s Cybertruck, the futuristic electric pickup that has been turning heads and raising eyebrows since its announcement, is now facing a new challenge that has put a pause on its deliveries. Over the past few days, Tesla has delayed some Cybertruck deliveries, and while the company hasn’t made an official statement, the Cybertruck Owners Club forum is abuzz with speculation and personal accounts of delivery rescheduling due to an issue with the accelerator pedal, causing concern among potential buyers.
Problem of the accelerator pedal
One forum user reported being informed by their dealer about a recall concerning the truck’s accelerator pedal, while another received a text from Tesla indicating a halt in scheduling deliveries for the same reason. These individual reports have been echoed by several others who have received vague texts about ‘issues with the preparation of your vehicle.’
The root of the problem may lie in the accelerator pedal’s tendency to get stuck. A TikTok video shared by a Cybertruck owner showed their accelerator pedal cover getting stuck, causing the truck to maintain full throttle. The driver noted that braking would stop the acceleration, but releasing the brake would cause the truck to speed up again, which is particularly concerning for a vehicle that weighs nearly 7,000 pounds and boasts a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of under three seconds.
Adding to the concern, another user recounted an incident where their Cybertruck accelerated into a signal pole without any input, and neither the brake pedal nor the airbags functioned as expected. These incidents are not isolated. Tesla has faced accusations of sudden unintended acceleration problems in the past, with a class-action lawsuit in 2017 and over 2,400 customer complaints about sudden unintended brake problems leaked to Handelsblatt, raising questions about the vehicle’s safety.
Potential safety concerns
In 2023, a safety researcher in Minnesota published a white paper suggesting a voltage spike in Tesla’s inverter could cause sudden acceleration events. By July 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) decided to investigate these claims, highlighting the ongoing concerns about the safety of Tesla’s vehicles.
The most recent incident involves a TikTok user who demonstrated how the metal cover of the accelerator pedal could become dislodged and jam under the dash, causing the pedal to stick. This alarming revelation has led to the belief that Tesla has temporarily stopped Cybertruck deliveries to address the issue, aiming to ensure the safety of its customers.
Tesla’s approach to public relations, or lack thereof, has left customers and the media piecing together information from social media and personal accounts. The company’s history of not responding to reporter questions and the disbandment of its PR department years ago means official confirmations are hard to come by, adding to the frustration of those affected.
As Tesla addresses the accelerator pedal issue, the unwavering priority remains the safety and reliability of its vehicles. The Cybertruck’s remarkable potential is currently eclipsed by these safety concerns, emphasizing the urgency for the company to take swift and decisive action to prevent any further incidents. Given Tesla’s esteemed reputation for pioneering innovation and effectively tackling challenges, there is an expectation that a resolution will be swiftly enacted, thereby safeguarding customer well-being and ensuring the Cybertruck’s path to future success.
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