CEO Elon Musk claimed Tesla’s much-touted Cybertruck would be “apocalypse-proof,” but one unlucky man who bought one says the vehicle suffered critical defects shortly after leaving the dealership.
Thomas Remo, an entrepreneur and YouTube content creator, documented his troubling experience with the new $82,000 electric vehicle.
A video on his YouTube channel Gear Down shows his initial excitement when picking up the Cybertruck from an Irvine, California, dealership. But the joy was short-lived as the vehicle suffered a critical steering issue, not even traveling six inches before showing problems and persistently failing more than 30 times that day.
The incident occurred when the Cybertruck’s center screen flashed red and emitted alert beeps. The warning signaled a steering malfunction, causing an automatic deceleration to 4 mph. The predicament forced Mr. Remo to pull over and return to the dealer.
Mr. Remo expressed his shock, questioning if the Cybertruck could be considered “Tesla’s biggest lemon yet.” His disheartening experience adds to outrage among customers who invested an additional $3,000 for an attachable tent that failed to meet the advertisements.
Another owner in California reported needing a tow for a Cybertruck only a mile from the dealership. This account, along with Mr. Remo’s, identifies a problem with the vehicle’s innovative steer-by-wire system. The system, designed to replace traditional mechanical steering connections with electric motors, is intended to improve the driving experience, but introduces complexity and potential maintenance issues.
After the truck’s release, a slew of complaints have emerged, everything from early rusting of the supposedly stainless steel to misaligned doors and uneven surfaces. Some have complained that the trucks can barely handle driving offroad, despite the company’s claim that they can take nearly anything.
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