Tesla recalls Cybertrucks, adding to quality doubts

STORY: Tesla faces new worries over the quality of its Cybertrucks.

The firm has recalled more than 11,000 of the electric pickups in the U.S.

That’s over issues with windshield wipers and loose trim.

Analysts say it’s no big surprise about the wipers, which have long been identified as a problem.

The Cybertruck’s unusual design forced Tesla to fit huge blades - putting a bigger strain on the motors that move them.

Now the problems feed into a perception of wider issues with the vehicles.

One analyst told Reuters that the overall build quality of the Cybertruck was “quite poor”.

Tesla began delivering the Blade Runner-inspired pickup in late 2023, after years of delay.

It’s meant to answer critics who say the firm lacks new models.

Mass production is expected to begin in 2025, and Musk has said the target is 200,000 units per year.

Tesla hasn’t revealed how many it has shipped so far, however, and skeptics say it may lack mass-market appeal.

While recalls of new car models aren’t unusual, it’s relatively rare for Tesla, which often solves problems with over-the-air software updates.

It also looks sure to raise unwelcome new questions for the Cybertruck.