Summary

• Recall affects majority of Cybertrucks

• NHTSA cites risk of crash due to detaching trim panel

• Tesla shares fall amid demand weakness and brand backlash

(Reuters) - Tesla is recalling 46,096 Cybertruck vehicles in the U.S.- nearly all Cybertrucks made up to February - to fix an exterior panel that could detach while driving, adding to a series of call-backs for the pickup truck since last year.

Tesla shares slid 1% in premarket trading.

While Tesla does not break out deliveries of its Cybertrucks, the recalled vehicles would represent a vast majority of the pickups on the road, based on analyst estimates.

The recall could prove to be a setback for Tesla, whose stock has lost about half its value this year as the company grapples with rising competition, an aging lineup, and backlash against CEO Elon Musk's controversial role overseeing cuts to federal spending in the Trump White House.

The recall is meant to address a stainless-steel exterior trim panel that can detach from the vehicle, making it a road hazard that boosts the risk of a crash, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) notice. Tesla's service will replace the assembly for free.

Demand for the unconventional EV pickup has already shown signs of weakness toward the end of last year, following several delays.

Shares of the EV maker fell 1.4% in premarket trading.

Tesla shares, initially boosted post-election due to Musk's relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, have fallen nearly 42% this year.

Analysts have pointed to a change in sentiment toward the EV maker from existing customers and potential new buyers, as reactions toward the brand such as protests at Tesla stores across the U.S. and sales boycotts emerge.

Tesla accounts for a large portion of recalled vehicles in the U.S. In 2024, Tesla topped the list for U.S. recalls with its vehicles accounting for 5.1 million call-backs, according to recall management firm BizzyCar. However, most issues for the brand's cars were usually resolved with over-the-air software updates.

Tesla leads vehicle recalls in the United States