Tesla is recalling certain 2024-2025 Cybertruck vehicles. The cant rail, a stainless-steel exterior trim panel, can delaminate and detach from the vehicle. A detached panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
This recall potentially affects 46,096 vehicles. Tesla service will replace the cant rail assembly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 19. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-10-001.
What is going on with Tesla?
This recall comes as Tesla stocks continue to drop. According to Investor’s Business Daily, Tesla stocks have fallen 44.2% so far in 2025, making it the worst performer in the S&P 500 this year. The company’s stocks did see a slight bump on March 19 after California approved using its electric cars to drive its employees.
Tesla stocks are tumbling as the manufacturer suffers structural quality issues and its brand becomes associated with divisive politics. The company was one of the most-recalled brands in 2023 and 2024, highlighting significant issues with safety and reliability.
Experts claim Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is at least partially responsible for the company’s poor stock performance. During Trump’s 2024 campaign, Musk increasingly tied himself to the now president, supporting him on the campaign trail. Now that Trump is back in office, Musk is a senior advisor to the president and reportedly a “special government employee” with influence over the new Department of Government Efficiency.
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This new path for Musk has been criticized nationally and internationally, as many want to keep the billionaire out of politics, specifically the White House. Despite Trump’s public support for Tesla, peaceful and less peaceful protests have broken out at dealerships across the country. On March 19, a website called “Dogequest” was launched, which reportedly “doxxes” Tesla owners. The site will only take down an individual’s personal information if they can provide proof of selling their Tesla vehicles.
With Musk growing as a controversial figure and Tesla stocks falling for the ninth consecutive week, Tesla investors are beginning to take notice. On March 18, the first Tesla investor called for Musk to step down and appoint a new CEO. Investor Ross Gerber states the company needs a more dedicated CEO to provide stability. Musk has yet to respond.
How could Tesla’s downfall affect trucking?
Tesla’s recent misfortune is another bad turn for EV manufacturers following Nikola’s bankruptcy announcement earlier this year.
The Tesla Semi is one of trucking’s few promising Class 8 EV options for trucking. However, the Semi stalled in its initial path to commercialization, and several leading OEMs now offer competing alt-fuel trucks. Tesla’s lighter vehicles are highly popular among rental fleets, according to S&P Global.
In response to the controversy surrounding Musk—and Tesla, by extension—many Tesla owners are selling their passenger vehicles and moving to other EV brands, such as Rivian, Lucid, and Polestar. Some Tesla owners are using bumper stickers to either make their distaste for Musk clear or disguise their vehicle as a Honda or Rivian.
Experts speculate that Rivian especially has much to gain from Musk and Tesla’s downfall. Rivian offers a light-duty EV truck: the R1T. While the R1T's look isn’t as distinct as the Cybertruck's, it does have a similar offering. There has been a noticeable movement of Tesla owners switching to Rivian dating back to earlier in 2024.
And Rivian, like Tesla, just recently stepped into the commercial vehicle space with its commercial van. Rivian doesn’t yet offer an electric semi truck like Tesla does, but the newer startup could still catch up to Tesla in this area.
