Tesla Recalls 2,431 Cybertrucks Over Faulty Inverter Hardware Issue

• Nov 13, 2024

Tesla has announced a recall for 2,431 of its 2024 Cybertrucks due to a faulty drive unit inverter, marking the sixth recall for the model this year. Unlike many Tesla fixes that are applied through software updates, this issue requires a physical repair, meaning affected Cybertruck owners will need to bring their vehicles in for service.

The problem surfaced in July when a Cybertruck was stranded due to a malfunction in its drive unit inverter. Tesla began investigating the issue shortly after and traced it to a bad batch of inverters used in Cybertrucks manufactured between November 6, 2023, and July 30, 2024. After noting a total of five similar failures and warranty claims, Tesla confirmed that these incidents may be related to the faulty inverters and decided to issue a recall.

Tesla is known for resolving many of its vehicle issues via software updates, a method that has both simplified the recall process and built loyalty among its fans. However, this recall highlights a hardware flaw that software cannot fix, underscoring the limitations of over-the-air updates in addressing all types of vehicle issues. In fact, while 20 percent of car recalls now involve software fixes, the Cybertruck’s inverter malfunction requires the physical replacement of the defective hardware by a technician.

Starting December 9, Tesla will replace the faulty inverters in affected Cybertrucks with a new version containing components designed to prevent this malfunction. This repair process will ensure the vehicles meet Tesla's safety and performance standards, restoring confidence for affected owners.

While recalls are not unusual in the automotive industry, the frequency of Cybertruck recalls has been a topic of discussion, as this is already the sixth recall for the model this year alone. Still, Tesla remains committed to quickly identifying and resolving issues that arise, whether through software or, in this case, necessary hardware repairs.

By addressing this hardware issue, Tesla aims to ensure that Cybertruck owners experience the performance and reliability the brand is known for. The recall process, while inconvenient, is a critical step to protect customers and maintain vehicle integrity.