This week, the beleaguered Cybertruck suffered another setback as federal regulators issued a recall notice. According to the recall announcement, Tesla is required to recall the vehicles to repair a trim component that can become detached while driving, thereby increasing the risk of an accident. The recall affects over 46,000 vehicles.

Contrary to Elon Musk’s claims that the Cybertruck is a robust and durable vehicle, it has been plagued by manufacturing issues. Drivers and vehicle testers have long been aware of these problems. This latest recall, which covers all Cybertrucks sold to date, marks the 8th recall for the model. It is also the second time the Cybertruck has been recalled due to trim issues. In June last year, the company issued a similar recall because the trunk bed trim sail applique may not have been properly adhered and could become loose.

Tesla informed Bloomberg that it estimates only 1% of the recalled Cybertrucks will be affected by the issue, but the company is recalling all vehicles as a precautionary measure and will cover the cost of repairs. Additionally, Tesla stated that it has not yet resolved the manufacturing issue but expects to implement a fix by March 21. The company has already received 151 warranty claims related to the trim issue.

The reason for the trim’s poor quality and tendency to detach is that it is simply glued on. In a video posted in August 2024, YouTuber WhistlinDiesel subjected the Cybertruck to various durability tests and compared it to the more popular F-150. In the video, WhistlinDiesel is seen easily peeling away parts of the trim from the Cybertruck using only his hands.

A clip from the video showcasing the trim being detached gained significant attention when WhistlinDiesel shared it on TikTok. The clip, which has been viewed over 20 million times, shows WhistlinDiesel using a pickaxe to slam the Cybertruck before attempting to remove pieces of the trim with the tool. However, he soon realizes that he doesn’t need the pickaxe and can simply use his hands to disassemble the vehicle, revealing that it is held together with glue. In the video, WhistlinDiesel expresses his disappointment, stating, “That is not acceptable, dude. You just glued your truck together. That’s not OK.”

The high-profile recall of the Cybertruck deals another blow to Tesla, which is already facing significant challenges. The company’s stock price continues to plummet, and there have been protests at Tesla showrooms across the country. Some individuals have even resorted to setting Tesla cars on fire and vandalizing them with swastikas. Long-time Tesla owners are selling their vehicles in large numbers, and the cost of insuring Tesla vehicles is skyrocketing.

Prominent Tesla investor Ross Gerber has made multiple television appearances in recent days, calling for Elon Musk to step down as CEO. Gerber stated, “If Elon came back to Tesla, that would be great. That’s exactly what Tesla needs. But he’s not. And he’s going to stay at DOGE, and he’s one of the most powerful people in the world now, and it’s definitely gotten to his head, and I just don’t see him changing and going back. I actually think he’s completely neglecting Tesla at this point,” in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

Gerber continued, “I think Elon should appoint a new CEO to run Tesla so he can focus on what he’s doing in the government and also separate himself from Tesla, which is a great company that’s trying to solve climate change. It’s now associated with Elon in such a negative fashion that it’s destroying the sales of their main product, which is selling EVs. Something’s gotta change, and I think it’s gonna happen this year.”

Musk has attempted to leverage his connection to the White House to boost sales and improve Tesla’s image. However, his efforts have been unsuccessful. Trump recorded an advertisement for the vehicles on the South Lawn of the White House, but the stock price continued to decline. On March 19, Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared on Fox News, encouraging people to invest in Tesla. “I think, if you want to learn something on this show tonight, buy Tesla,” Lutnick said. “It’s unbelievable that this guy’s stock is this cheap. It’ll never be this cheap again.”

Despite Lutnick’s endorsement, Tesla’s stock price continued to decrease on Thursday morning.