Cybertruck is bursting at the seams: gaps in the body after official repairs and promises that disappear

The Tesla Cybertruck, once hailed as a bold bid for leadership in the electric vehicle segment, is once again in the spotlight — and not for the better. After of the latest recallassociated with the a loose decorative panelThe situation became even worse. The repairs were not only imperfect, but also caused the owners to be even more indignant.

Tesla solved the problem simply: dismantle the panel, apply several pieces of butyl (thermoplastic sealant), and then fasten everything with new nuts. However, the consequences of this «repair» — visible gaps between body parts and even rusty or burnt marks on the chassis.

One of the owners of a Cybertruck from New Jersey shared a photo after the repair. It shows a large gap where the new nut was installed. There is a spot nearby that looks like a welding mark. Although the panel fixation itself obviously does not require welding.

This situation raises many questions about Tesla’s quality control. Yes, the company has a loyal audience of early buyers who are willing to put up with the problems of the first generation. But when it comes to cars costing more than $80 thousand, there are expectations of high standards of service and workmanship. People pay a lot of money — and they want a quality product, not a car with defects after repair that they have to fix themselves with a file.

This is a particular headache for owners who have covered their Cybertrucks with film. Now, after the repair, they will also have to pay for re-wrapping it — and Tesla does not seem to be planning to cover these costs.

Another disappointment faced by Cybertruck fans is the cancellation of the so-called «Range Extender, which was supposed to significantly increase the car’s autonomy.

When Tesla first announced the Cybertruck in 2019, it advertised a three-engine version with a range of over 805 km and a starting price of $70 thousand. Unfortunately, when the company finally announced the official specifications, the three-engine Cybertruck had a starting price of $100 thousand and a range of only 515 km. To at least get close to the promised performance, Tesla offered a solution — a separate battery that is installed in the body of the pickup truck. The company called it the Range Extender. It was supposed to cost $16 thousand and take up a third of the Cybertruck’s luggage compartment.

Although the Cybertruck has been in production for a year and a half, this «extender» has not yet gone on sale. Initially, Tesla promised to release it in early 2025, but later the deadline was shifted to mid-2025. In addition, the range of the Range Extender has been slightly reduced by about 40 km for the two-engine version.