Tesla Recalls Cybertrucks For 10th Time Since 2023 Launch

Topline

Tesla on Thursday recalled more than 6,000 Cybertrucks over a defective light bar accessory that may detach, which regulators said may increase the risk of a crash—the 10th notice issued for Tesla’s pickup truck since it was released nearly two years ago.

Elon Musk’s automaker has posted several notices for its Cybertrucks since the vehicle was introduced nearly two years ago.

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Key Facts

The recall covers 6,197 Cybertrucks manufactured between Nov. 13, 2023, and Nov. 5, 2024, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing.

Tesla told regulators the Cybertrucks are equipped with an optional off-road light bar accessory that may have been inadvertently attached to the windshield using the wrong adhesive, potentially causing the piece to detach.

The automaker said drivers may hear a noise from inside the car if the light bar detaches, or they may see a gap between the light bar, which may feel loose when touched, and the windshield.

Tesla said it started investigating the issue in February, after its field quality unit identified an issue with the adhesive used to install the light bar, noting it has received more than 600 warranty claims related to the defect as of Oct. 24.

Tesla disclosed it was not aware of any related collisions or injuries.

Drivers with the affected vehicles will be notified by Dec. 26, according to Tesla, who said its dealers would replace the light bar for free.

Big Number

5.1 million. That’s how many vehicles Tesla recalled in the U.S. last year, the most of any automaker, according to NHTSA data, though most notices were addressed through over-the-air software updates. Tesla accounted for roughly 21% of all vehicles recalled in the U.S. in 2024, while its market share of cars sold was roughly 4.2% the previous year, according to Cox Automotive.

Tangent

Tesla shares fell 3.7% as of Thursday afternoon after the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, which holds about 5 million shares in Tesla, indicated it would vote against Elon Musk’s $1 trillion payment plan. Drew Hambly, CalPERS’ global equities investment director, told Bloomberg the pay package proposed by Tesla for Musk was larger than payment plans for CEOs for other firms “by many orders of magnitude” and would “further concentrate power in a single shareholder.” Other groups have opposed Musk’s pay package, including Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services, both of which Musk accused of being “corporate terrorists” for advising shareholders to vote against the plan. In a letter to shareholders on Monday, Tesla chair Robyn Denholm warned investors that Musk may leave the company if the plan is denied, claiming Tesla would lose “significant value” without Musk, as Tesla “may no longer be valued for what we aim to become.”

Key Background

Tesla’s latest recall for its Cybertrucks follows a notice issued earlier this month for the vehicles earlier this month for front parking lights that may be too bright. That followed up on a stream of recalls issued for Cybertrucks earlier this year and in 2024, which included notices for trim panels that may detach, a failing tire pressure monitoring system, windshield wiper failure and gas pedals that may get stuck, among other issues. Tesla released its Cybertruck in November 2023 after production delays halted deliveries, and the automaker delayed production again in April 2024 after Tesla customers began reporting issues with the car’s gas pedal. Despite issues with its Cybertruck, Tesla reported a historic sales surge through its latest quarter, which appeared to be boosted by the recent expiration of a federal tax credit for electric vehicle purchases.