Cybertruck Owners Voice Discontent Over Reported Rust Issues

Feb 18, 2024 09:04 PM EST

TESLA CYBERTRUCK ON THE ROAD — (Photo : PEXELS/Stephen Leonardi)

The Tesla Cybertruck, despite its futuristic design and stainless steel construction, is facing an unexpected challenge: rusting. Despite being a highly anticipated vehicle, it hasn't taken long for owners to notice signs of rust on their Cybertrucks. Reports indicate that even after just a few days of exposure to rain, the once-shiny stainless-steel bodywork of the Cybertruck begins to show flecks of rust. As reports of Tesla Cybetruck rusting surfaces it gives emphasis to a concerning aspect of the Cybertruck's durability and raises questions about Tesla's choice of materials for its flagship electric pickup truck.

Issue: Cybertruck Rusting

This much talked about super truck, priced between $57,390 and $96,390, began reaching customers in December. However, just two months after delivery, buyers are sharing pictures on social media revealing the emergence of orange rust spots on their recently acquired electric vehicles, sometimes occurring after driving them in wet conditions.

DPA international highlighted that two Cybertruck owners have separately reported encountering these rust spots on their vehicles, with Business Insider previously featuring these posts. Tesla has yet to provide an official comment on the matter.

It appears that the rust spots observed on the Tesla Cybertruck resemble those commonly seen on stainless steel table knives after being washed in a dishwasher. The Cybertruck, which was launched four years later than initially anticipated, features a unique stainless-steel exterior.

Despite its durable construction, the extensive metal surface of the Cybertruck is susceptible to environmental exposure, and experts note that certain conditions can lead to rust formation on stainless steel. The likelihood of rust varies depending on the chromium content in the stainless steel; higher chromium content typically correlates with reduced susceptibility to corrosion.

Additionally, the report shared although the Cybertruck owner's manual has not been officially released, a video circulating online suggests that the vehicle's bodywork lacks a protective clear coat. This revelation is accompanied by explicit instructions regarding the removal of potential hazards from the stainless-steel surface to prevent corrosion.

While rain is not expressly mentioned in this section, the manual emphasizes the significance of swiftly treating typical roadside materials like as oil, tree resin, dead bugs, and road salt in order to keep the vehicle's beautiful appearance and structural integrity.

Owners Complain

As per CBS News, Tesla did not provide an immediate response to CBS MoneyWatch's inquiry regarding the customer complaints. On the Cybertruckownersclub.com forum, an owner of a Tesla Cybertruck shared detailed images depicting small orange spots on their recently acquired vehicle, which they claim appeared after driving it in rainy conditions for two days.

According to the report, Raxar, the individual who posted the message, recounted that upon collecting his Cybertruck in February, an advisor brought the matter to his attention.

He explicitly mentioned that Cybertrucks tend to develop orange rust marks when exposed to rain, necessitating buffing. Raxar noted in his post.Despite his attempts to remove the spots using dish soap, Raxar reported being unsuccessful.

Vertigo3pb noted that the Cybertruck, which had accumulated a mileage of 381 miles, had mostly been parked in front of their residence for 11 days. Following exposure to cold weather, rain, and occasional direct sunlight, they provided several photos displaying the corrosion spots along with a video.

Tesla Cybertruck's Popularity

Tesla is undeniably a popular name in the world of EV. Its Cyberstruck had gained the spotlight starting from news of its ongoing development to its delayed launching. Prior to the issue of Tesla Cybertruck rusting, some owners also reported several troubles concerning this vehicle.

According to The Guardian's report dated Feb. 2, 2024, Tesla is initiating a recall of almost all vehicles sold in the United States due to issues with certain warning lights being inadequately sized on the instrument panel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall of almost 2.2 million vehicles on Friday, signaling increased focus on the electric vehicle manufacturer.
The government alsp announced it will continue its 2023 investigation on Tesla. It is looking into steering issues to an engineering analysis, implying a possible recall.

According to documents, the update will enhance warnings and alerts for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that the brake, park, and antilock brake warning lights feature a font size smaller than mandated by federal safety regulations. This discrepancy can hamper the readability of critical safety information.

Thus, increasing the risk of an accident. NHTSA discovered the issue during a routine safety compliance audit on January 8th. While Tesla has identified three warranty claims possibly linked to the issue, there have been no reports of crashes or injuries.