Tesla has agreed to recall nearly 4,000 of its Cybertruck pickups due to a potentially dangerous accelerator pedal issue, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Friday. The defect could cause the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally, raising the risk of crashes.
The safety agency stated that all 3,878 Cybertrucks produced in the U.S. from November 13 to April 4 are affected by the issue, which was caused by soap used as lubricant during assembly at Tesla’s factory in Austin, Texas. Tesla received a customer complaint on March 31 and quickly initiated the recall process.
Despite the recall, Tesla has faced challenges in recent months, including a decline in sales and market share. The company’s stock has fallen approximately 40 percent this year, and it has also dealt with previous recalls for issues such as font size on warning lights and Autopilot software.
In addition to the recall, Tesla announced plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and saw the departure of two senior executives. The electric carmaker has struggled to compete with traditional automakers entering the electric vehicle market, and the Cybertruck’s unique design and high price point may limit its appeal to consumers.
Tesla will replace or repair the accelerator pedal on affected Cybertrucks free of charge. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the recall.
