Only a few months after its debut, Tesla’s Cybertruck dubbed for its “ultra-hard stainless steel” body is encountering unforeseen difficulties. CEO Elon Musk has stated that the car’s body is almost unbreakable, however reports from the Cybertruck Owners Club forum seem to contradict this.
After just two days of rain, “Raxar,” one user, reported seeing orange rust streaks on their Cybertruck. Even though stainless steel is resistant to rust, there are situations where it is not completely impervious. “Vertigo3pc,” another user, said that after just 11 days in the rain in Los Angeles, corrosion started to form on their Cybertruck.
Owners are concerned about these reports, especially in light of the substantial price increase from $40,000 in 2019 to $60,000 in 2023. Some suggest that the problem can be exacerbated by the absence of a clear coat, a protective covering frequently seen on other cars. The absence of this layer makes the body of stainless steel more vulnerable to corrosion from the elements, including rain, mud, and road salt.
Owners are cautioned by Tesla’s maintenance paperwork to remove corrosive materials such as oil, grease, bird droppings, and tar patches as soon as possible to avoid exterior damage. Some owners, however, might be surprised by this level of maintenance as they were probably under the impression that the Cybertruck’s stainless steel body would require less upkeep.
How Tesla responds to these issues is still to be seen. Regarding the claimed corrosion problems, the corporation has not yet replied to questions. It’s evident that the Cybertruck’s distinctive design may present some unforeseen difficulties for Tesla and its owners as it continues to reach more consumers.