Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall sent shockwaves through the EV community back in April 2024. Picture this: You’re hammering down on the pedal in your brand-new, angular beast of a truck, and suddenly the cover slips off, jamming the accelerator wide open. Scary, right? That’s exactly what prompted Tesla to recall nearly every Cybertruck built at the time. If you own one or you’re eyeing this futuristic pickup, stick around—we’re breaking it all down in plain English.
What Happened with the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall?
The Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall wasn’t some minor glitch fixable with a software update. It was a physical defect that could lead to unintended acceleration—a driver’s nightmare. When you pressed hard on the accelerator, the top pad (that cosmetic cover) could dislodge due to poor retention. It would then slide up and get trapped in the interior trim above the pedal, keeping it floored even after you lifted your foot.
Think of it like a loose shoe sole flipping up and wedging under the pedal—except at highway speeds in a 6,000-pound electric monster. Thankfully, no crashes, injuries, or fatalities were reported, but the risk was real enough for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get involved quickly.
Tesla acted fast after customer complaints surfaced in late March 2024. By mid-April, they voluntarily recalled all affected vehicles. Have you ever seen a viral TikTok of a Cybertruck owner holding the detached pedal pad? That video blew up and highlighted the issue perfectly.
The Root Cause Behind the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall
Here’s where it gets almost comical: Soap. Yes, plain old lubricant soap used during assembly. An unapproved change in the production line introduced soap to help snap the pad onto the pedal more easily. But residual soap reduced friction, weakening the pad’s grip.
It’s like using too much butter on toast—it slides right off. This slippery mistake affected the entire early production run. Tesla pinpointed it through internal tests after the first reports on March 31 and April 3, 2024.
Which Cybertrucks Were Affected by the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall?
The Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall covered 3,878 vehicles—essentially every single one delivered up to that point. All model year 2024 Cybertrucks built from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024, were included.
That’s right: 100% defect rate estimated by NHTSA. If you took delivery before mid-April 2024, your truck was likely affected. Newer ones got a redesigned pedal component straight from the factory.
To check yours, pop your VIN into Tesla’s recall search tool or the NHTSA site. Easy peasy.
Safety Risks in the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall
Unintended acceleration could obviously spike crash risks. But Tesla built in safeguards: Braking overrides throttle, cutting power instantly. You’d also get alerts if both pedals were pressed.
Still, no one wants their truck going full throttle unexpectedly. Rhetorical question—what would you do in that split-second panic?

Tesla’s Solution for the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall
Tesla didn’t mess around with bandaids. The fix? Replace or rework the accelerator pedal assembly, often by adding a sturdy rivet to secure the pad permanently.
It’s a quick job—under 15 minutes, sometimes done via Mobile Service right at your driveway. And it’s completely free for owners.
Videos from owner events showed techs drilling and riveting on-site. Not the prettiest mod, but effective—like adding a bolt to something that was just glued.
Timeline of the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall Repairs
Notifications went out in June 2024. Deliveries paused briefly in early April while Tesla sorted inventory and in-transit trucks. Production resumed with the new pedal design by April 17, 2024.
Owners scheduled via the Tesla app—no big hassle.
Broader Picture: Cybertruck Recalls Including the Accelerator Pedal Issue
The Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall was one of the more serious ones in a string of early issues. Others included wiper problems, trim detachment, and even a later tesla cybertruck off-road lightbar detachment recall 2025 involving adhesive failures on accessories.
These teething problems are common with groundbreaking vehicles pushing new manufacturing techniques. Stainless steel body? Innovative, but tricky. Tesla’s over-the-air updates handle many fixes, but hardware like pedals needs hands-on work.
Analogy: Launching the Cybertruck is like releasing a radical new smartphone—exciting features, but initial batches might have quirks ironed out later.
Owner Experiences During the Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall
Forums lit up with stories. Some owners discovered loose pads preemptively; others waited calmly for service. Most praised the quick, free fix and Tesla’s transparency.
One viral case: A driver braked hard to stop unintended accel—no harm done. It underscored the brake override’s importance.
What Owners Should Do Post-Cybertruck Accelerator Pedal Recall
If you haven’t yet, check your VIN and book that service if needed. Drive cautiously until fixed—avoid stomping the pedal unnecessarily.
Long-term? These recalls often boost reliability as lessons get applied fleet-wide.
Conclusion
The Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall highlighted a slippery manufacturing slip-up—literally—but Tesla’s swift response with a robust rivet fix turned potential disaster into a minor blip. Affecting all 3,878 early models, it reminded us that even revolutionary trucks face real-world hurdles. No injuries occurred, safeguards worked, and repairs were hassle-free.
For Cybertruck owners, it’s a testament to proactive safety. Prospective buyers? Rest assured—these issues get resolved, making later models even better. Embrace the bold ride ahead, pedal securely in place.
FAQs
1. What caused the Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall?
Residual soap lubricant from assembly weakened the pedal pad’s retention, allowing it to dislodge and trap the accelerator during hard presses.
2. How many vehicles were impacted by the Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall?
Exactly 3,878—all 2024 Cybertrucks built from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024.
3. Is the repair for the Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall free?
Yes, Tesla covers full replacement or rework, including the rivet addition, at no cost to owners.
4. Were there any accidents from the Cybertruck accelerator pedal recall issue?
No reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities as of the recall announcement.
5. How does this relate to other recalls like the tesla cybertruck off-road lightbar detachment recall 2025?
Both involve attachment failures (adhesive/primer issues), showing early production challenges with new components, but each has specific free fixes.

