- Over 46,000 Cybertrucks were recalled due to potentially detaching exterior panels.
- Tesla stock decreased 42% in 2025 because of declining sales and consumer confidence.
- Growing backlash against Elon Musk impacts brand perception and vehicle ownership.
For years, Tesla had an almost magical ability to make headlines and its stock price was only increasing with time. But lately, that Midas touch seems to be slipping as controversies surrounding Elon Musk have led to consumer backlash and declining sales have reduced investor confidence. The situation has become so severe that some Tesla owners have started using alternative car badges to avoid vandalism and public confrontation.
And now, Tesla faces another major headache: a mass Cybertruck recall. Last week, Tesla announced that nearly all Cybertrucks produced between November 2023 and February 2025 were being recalled due to a major safety issue.
Cybertruck Trim Issue
The recall affects over 46,000 vehicles, with the problem being that the critical exterior trim panel could unexpectedly detach while driving, which creates a serious hazard for other motorists. That’s right — your $100,000 USD electric Cybertruck might start shedding pieces on the highway like a poorly glued model kit.
The issue stems from the Cybertruck’s stainless steel cant rail, which is a key exterior trim piece that runs along the windshield and roof. Tesla originally attached this component using an adhesive that, as it turns out, doesn’t hold up well over time. Exposure to the elements causes the glue to lose flexibility and makes it prone to failure, potentially leading to panel separation during operation. Not exactly the bulletproof durability Tesla promised.
Tesla has claimed that only about 1% of Cybertrucks show clear signs of the defect but the company is recalling all affected units as a precaution. The fix involves replacing the adhesive with a stronger structural variant and also adding physical fasteners — a solution that should have been part of the original design.
Mounting Challenges for Tesla’s Future
The timing of this recall couldn’t be worse because, since January, Tesla has received over 150 warranty claims related to the issue. But Cybertruck’s problems extend beyond just peeling panels. Owners have also reported faulty windshield wipers, sticking accelerator pedals, and unexpected power loss. These reliability concerns, along with Musk’s increasingly controversial public persona are making Tesla a tougher sell for new buyers.
The company’s stock is also in free fall due to these issues and has decreased 42% in 2025 alone. The absence of reported accidents or injuries related to the cant rail issue offers a small consolation, and Tesla has also reassured customers that they can keep driving their Cybertrucks until repairs are made, but that’s unlikely to completely ease concerns about the company’s broader quality control issues.
For many years, Tesla seemed unstoppable and promised a future of high-tech innovation, but as more issues come up, the question now is whether the brand can hold onto its reputation or if it’s heading towards failure.
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