Tesla has announced a major car recall of its new Cybertruck electric vehicle over fears the models could accelerate unintentionally.
Earlier today, Tesla said it would be recalling 3,878 Cybertrucks to fix an accelerator pedal pad which may lead to more accidents.
There are fears that the part could come loose and get lodged in the interior trim, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States.
If the pedal were to become trapped, the car could accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash.
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Tesla began shipping Cybertrucks across the United States at the end of 2023
TESLA
Owners of the Cybertruck who are affected will begin receiving notices from the Elon Musk-led brand in June.
If the part does need to be repaired or replaced, Tesla will do so without charging the customer.
A video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, which is owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, first identified the issue.
It showed a driver pressing down the accelerator in his Cybertruck when the panel came loose and became wedged on the underside of the interior.
The creator of the original video said it could become a serious hazard, especially if the person becomes panicked.
Tesla began deliveries of the Cybertruck last November after first being announced in 2019, which was highlighted by the designer Franz von Holzhausen smashing the "armour glass" windows.
The steel-clad Cybertruck has divided opinions since the original unveiling of the car, with many slamming the sharp edges and basic look, while others were impressed by the impressive range and rudimentary exterior.
There have been some doubts over whether the vehicle will ever make its way to the UK or Europe because of EU rules defining how vehicles should look and operate.
Tesla announced a previous recall in December when it lodged a notice regarding its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system and how it could be open to “foreseeable misuse”.
The brand said the Autopilot’s software system controls “may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse” and could increase the risk of a crash.
The NHTSA also announced last year that it has been investigating the brand for more than two years in response to concerns about whether the vehicles adequately ensure that drivers pay attention when using the system.
However, any fixes or repairs needed with the system software could be fixed with an over-the-air update, free of charge for the driver.
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Cybertrucks are not yet available in the UK or Europe
TESLA
In the latest update for the Cybertruck, Tesla announced that owners would be able to benefit from powersharing from vehicle to home.
This means that during grid outages, the Cybertruck would be able to power the home using the Universal Wall Connector and Powershare Gateway.