Brake problems: immediate sales stop for the Tesla Cybertruck

And once again the Tesla Cybertruck is making negative headlines. This time, however, it is not simply a case of inferior quality at a high price. Rather, the e-pickup poses a real safety problem for drivers and other road users due to a design flaw in the accelerator and brake pedal. The result is an immediate sales stop.

Tesla is in crisis

Tesla’s run of bad luck continues. After it was announced yesterday that the US car manufacturer intends to lay off a tenth of its global workforce due to poor sales figures, there are now new problems with the Cybertruck. The “tank” with its powerful electric motor has already upset many buyers in the recent past. The main complaints were about the build quality and choice of materials.

Both apparently fell well short of expectations, which is why the first models are already showing signs of rust less than a year after the sales launch. However, the problem that has now come to light is much more serious, as it puts people’s lives at risk. The focus is on the accelerator pedal of the e-pickup. Due to a glaring design flaw, it can suddenly remain fully depressed.

As it does not automatically return to its original position, the 3-ton colossus continues to accelerate abruptly. The problem is apparently due to a manufacturing defect in the trim around the pedal. It is too loose and, with a bit of bad luck, slips under the accelerator pedal when it is depressed. If the foot leaves the accelerator pedal, it can no longer spring back and remains in the depressed position.

First accident reports

It is astonishing that this problem was not discovered during the final quality control of the electric car. We can only count ourselves lucky that there have been no serious accidents so far. However, an accident report can be found online in which a victim describes his experiences. According to the report, a driver of a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a traffic light pole due to the stuck accelerator pedal.

Meanwhile, another user responded to the report and explained that the loose fairing was the problem. He also reassured anxious drivers that the brake could well be pressed at that moment. The car, which accelerates from 0 to 100 in just a few seconds despite its heavy weight, could probably be brought to a standstill in this way.

Although Tesla reacted quickly and stopped delivery of the e-pickup, a statement from the US manufacturer is still missing. What is certain is that the incidents and negative headlines are unlikely to lighten the already tense mood. The fact that the Cybertruck is CEO Elon Musk’s prestige project par excellence does not really make things any better.