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  ARM Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life (Terry Pratchett, Jingo)

Gone in 35 seconds – the Cybertruck's misbehaving acceleration pedal

(2024/04/22)


While the vast majority of recent Tesla recalls have been addressed with over-the-air updates, the fix for Cybertruck's recalcitrant acceleration pedal necessitates a rare venture into meatspace. And it's as underwhelming as it is simple.

Last week the electric vehicle juggernaut issued a [1]recall notice for every Cybertruck it has produced so far – that's 3,878 vehicles.

The problem was that due to an "unapproved change" in the assembly process, "residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal," potentially resulting in the pad slipping forward on the pedal and becoming wedged under the footwell trim.

[2]

One owner [3]reported this happening to him while driving, which he claimed caused the accelerator to become stuck down at 100 percent.

[4]

[5]

The defect can be somewhat mitigated by pressing and holding the brake pedal and then putting the Cybertruck in park. But the driver has to then reach into the footwell and free the accelerator manually. It is easy to imagine the danger to the driver and others on the road in the event of the fault manifesting.

Thus the recall went out, and future Cybertrucks will be blessed with a redesigned pedal.

[6]

For now, though, Tesla has sent out a [7]five-page service bulletin [PDF] detailing the fix and the tools needed. It's essentially a rivet through the pedal that will prevent the pad from slipping off. All very high tech.

The "pedal rework kit" includes a drilling jig, which, once slipped over the top, allows the Tesla mechanic to a drill a hole through which to place the rivet.

[8]Tesla Cybertruck turns into world's most expensive brick after car wash

[9]Unintended acceleration leads to recall of every Cybertruck produced so far

[10]Tesla decimates staff amid ongoing performance woe

[11]Tesla's Cybertruck may not be so stainless after all

There are some simple measurements to be taken first, and the fix should be inspected with a mirror to make sure the rivet has been fitted correctly, but X user Aaron Cash [12]caught the process on camera at a "Cyber Takeover" event in Long Beach, California, over the weekend in which the remedial work takes all of 35 seconds.

It's an embarrassing gaffe for a model supposed to represent the height of luxury and excess, if not for the Cybertruck's divisive appearance but certainly considering its up to $100,000 price tag.

We're also sure that owners will not be thrilled that a mechanic is taking a drill to the pickup after spending that much money, nor with the jerry-rigged nature of the fix, aptly noted [13]here with moving kazoo soundtrack .

[14]

It hasn't been a great year so far for Tesla. Not only is the Cybertruck accelerator as bad as it can get in terms of car design faults, but owners have also reported the vehicle [15]bricking itself after a wash , and even [16]rust forming on the stainless steel body .

Meanwhile, Tesla is the worst performing company in the S&P 500 for 2024, down almost 41 percent year-to-date. Vehicle deliveries are below analyst expectations for the first quarter, which is the main driver behind the stock decline. Oh, and the company just [17]laid off 10 percent of its workforce too.

Tesla's full Q1 2024 earnings are due out tomorrow so grab your popcorn and we'll see you there. ®

Get our [18]Tech Resources



[1] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/19/tesla_recalls_all_3878_cybertrucks/

[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZiaJnfMR7sC2fuBLePEK2AAAAAY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[3] https://www.tiktok.com/@el.chepito1985/video/7357758176504089898

[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZiaJnfMR7sC2fuBLePEK2AAAAAY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZiaJnfMR7sC2fuBLePEK2AAAAAY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZiaJnfMR7sC2fuBLePEK2AAAAAY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[7] https://regmedia.co.uk/2024/04/22/teslaservicebulletin.pdf

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/20/cybertruck_car_wash_mode/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/19/tesla_recalls_all_3878_cybertrucks/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/15/tesla_lays_off_10_percent/

[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/13/tesla_cybertruck_rust/

[12] https://twitter.com/aaronjcash/status/1781734760215408922

[13] https://www.tiktok.com/@el.chepito1985/video/7359405157022600494

[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZiaJnfMR7sC2fuBLePEK2AAAAAY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[15] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/20/cybertruck_car_wash_mode/

[16] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/13/tesla_cybertruck_rust/

[17] https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/15/tesla_lays_off_10_percent/

[18] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/



Spazturtle

I am genuinely amazed that they simple just glued the pedal on, how do they think of these things?

When I think "how do I attached X to Y in a structurally sound way that prevents slipping" I imminently think "Ah screws / bolts & nuts". But no!, at Tesla they go "ah some PVA will do".

Truly revolutionary design!

Andy The Hat

Whatever you do, don't look at modern jet wing manufacture then!

Ze

Are you sure they glued it on? The mention of residual lubricant implies to me they didn't use glue rather they just pushed it on relying on pressure and designed in mechanical fasteners eg tabs,spring tabs,ledges etc to hold it together.

When designed right glue joints with the right glue and mechanical design can be incredibly strong. Just look at any modern windscreen, or the racecar windscreens of sports prototypes which can be cut out and reused as part of the structural monocoque in the event of a crash.

The clock is ticking

Pascal Monett

I honestly think Musk is wearing out his welcome to a dangerously thin state.

He should stop pretending that his main job is defending his personal Free Speech and get back to work.

If he ever was capable of actual work, that is.

Not surprised

david1024

This was a totally new vehicle from the ground up. And quick fixes are to be expected. I'm not a fanboi, but really...

Not news.

Re: Not surprised

Anonymous Coward

It may be a new vehicle, but a pedal is a pedal. Nothing revolutionary there.

Re: Not surprised

Alumoi

Yeap. They had to reinvent the wheels, the chasis, the seats, the nuts and bolts (I hope they body is not glued to the chasis) and so on.

A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining
and wants it back the minute it begins to rain.
-- Mark Twain