Although Tesla’s Cybertruck has been making waves, and not for the reasons you’d expect. Tesla has quietly been replacing high voltage battery packs in some Cybertrucks sent in for unrelated maintenance at least since September. Some might call it this silent recall, but it does raise questions about this problem-solving approach.
The first case emerged on September 24, when Cybertruck owner Matt Albers noticed a surprising addition to his service request: cell-side dent-induced core collapse was proposed to be replaced by a battery. After engineering flagged possible shorting issues in some battery cells from a certain pre-production cycle, Tesla clarified this was a proactive strategy. Three months later another owner, “ill1cit,” reported the same thing, with Tesla replacing his battery when it went to get a mirror repaired.
These incidents point to the problem affecting Cybertrucks shipped between February and July. However, Tesla hasn’t made an official recall yet. Why? It could be avoiding the negative press and the financial cost of replacing thousands of expensive battery packs. Tesla may also reuse undamaged packs to reduce overall costs in vehicles that would otherwise have to use new packs.
But taking a low-profile approach raises valid concerns. Customers are often frustrated by the lack of detailed information about their battery replacements. This approach also casts doubt on Tesla’s commitment to transparency, especially when no formal recall is issued. Shouldn’t all potentially affected owners be informed if the defect poses safety risks?
Service records reveal Tesla’s shift in terminology from the technical-sounding “cell side dent induced core collapse” to the more neutral “remove and replace.” This change appears aimed at downplaying the issue. However, such a strategy risks alienating customers who value transparency and accountability.
Tesla’s early actions might not cause significant issues, but without a formal recall and clear communication, suspicion lingers. As Cybertruck owners and industry experts closely examine Tesla’s decisions, one thing remains clear: in the automotive industry, manufacturers must strike the right balance between innovation, customer trust, and regulatory compliance.
