Tesla has begun delaying deliveries of its Cybertruck electric pickup truck after a growing number of videos emerged online showing metal body panels falling off, sometimes while driving, according to Tesla delivery agents, sparking frustration among customers as delivery times for their vehicles remain uncertain, Electrek reports.
Some customers have received explanations from Tesla representatives that the cars are being delayed due to a so-called “containment hold.” This is a standard practice where a manufacturer pauses shipments of new cars to fix a defect to avoid a mass recall after sales.
Tesla has not officially commented on the problem, but one customer shared a screenshot from the Tesla service app, where a company representative noted that the reason for the delay was a problem with the "cantrail trim" - a decorative panel that covers the upper part of the body.
Cantrail trim is a decorative element that covers the roof edge of the car. Despite Tesla's claims about the Cybertruck's "bulletproof exoskeleton", its design is more like a traditional body design than a true exoskeleton. Most of the exterior panels are actually cladding attached to the main frame, and judging by the photos and videos, some panels are attached simply with glue.
This isn't the first time the Cybertruck's cladding has been a source of concern. Last June, Tesla recalled 11,000 Cybertrucks due to problems with the cladding panels falling off while driving. At the time, the problem was also attributed to defective glue. But recently, photos have started appearing on social media again, showing that the Cybertruck's front panel is only held together by glue, meaning the company can't fix this design of the electric vehicle yet.
Tesla's latest service bulletin, dated February 26, doesn't mention the cantrail trim issue, but it does describe another defect related to a faulty body controller circuit board in some Cybertrucks. Due to improper placement of the board, it can crack when the body is closed, causing a "soft power off."
Despite numerous customer complaints, Tesla has yet to make an official statement regarding the cantrail trim issue. The company is likely working on a solution before resuming deliveries, but for now, customers are left unsure of when they will receive their Cybertrucks.