The Tesla Cybertruck, an electric pickup truck that has faced a series of challenges since its debut, has been recalled for the fifth time in under a year. This latest recall affects 27,185 vehicles and is due to a failure to comply with federal safety standards regarding rear visibility.
The government has determined that under specific circumstances, the vehicle's system might not completely shut down before attempting to restart. If the driver reverses while this is happening, the images from the rearview camera may not appear within two seconds, violating federal regulations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that the rearview camera display could remain blank for up to 6 to 8 seconds after the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
While a few extra seconds might not seem critical, the law mandates compliance with safety standards. Even the government acknowledged the relatively minor nature of the issue, suggesting that drivers could still safely reverse by using their mirrors and checking over their shoulder. Nonetheless, the Cybertruck's failure to meet these safety requirements necessitated a recall.
Fortunately, the issue was relatively straightforward to address. Tesla quickly identified the problem during an internal compliance audit and implemented an over-the-air update on September 19th to resolve it. This swift response demonstrates Tesla's commitment to addressing safety concerns promptly.
The company discovered the issue on September 12th and spent the following days investigating the underlying cause. Through their investigation, Tesla connected the software problem to 45 warranty claims and four field reports. This evidence confirmed the need for a recall to ensure the safety of Cybertruck drivers.