Nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks Recalled After Viral TikTok Shows Design Flaw That Traps Accelerator

The negative press keeps coming for Tesla, as for the second time in five months, the brand has been forced to issue a recall on its vehicles due to a design flaw that puts its drivers and passengers at risk.

This time, all 3,878 Cybertrucks sold have had to be recalled due to paneling that could break loose and trap the accelerator from returning to a neutral position, making the car actively accelerate whenever the brakes are not engaged.

The flaw went viral on TikTok after it was explained by user @el.chepito1985 earlier this week, which has quickly racked up nearly 5 million views.

In the recall document filed by Tesla, the problem is caused by "an unapproved change" that "introduced lubricant (soap) to aid in the component assembly of the pad onto the accelerator pedal. Residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal."

The recall comes five months after Tesla was forced to issue a digital recall on all cars sold since 2012 due to a flaw in the autopilot system that could leave a car essentially driverless for 60 seconds. It also comes two months after billionaire Angela Chao drowned after trying to make a K-turn, fumbled with her Tesla's gear-shift system, and got sealed into her car for an hour underwater. It also comes six weeks after a driver reported on Twitter that his Cybertruck had a "catastrophic failure" with the brakes and steering while his wife and kids were in the car.

News of the latest potentially fatal flaw in Tesla vehicles earned yet another round of laughter from Tesla doubters and Elon Musk haters on social media, as it seemed to be yet another case of the perceived shoddy work produced by companies owned by the supposedly brilliant entrepreneur.

Cybertruck owners have also reported rust issues, being unable to drive offroad and suffering critical steering failures minutes after driving off the lot.