The Feds Are Interested in Tesla Cybertruck's Alleged Stuck Accelerator Issues
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With up to 834 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque on tap, the thought of a stuck, wide-open accelerator pedal in your fresh-off-the-lot Tesla Cybertruck is skin-crawling, to say the least. But that nightmare has become a reality for one Cybertruck owner, coinciding with Tesla reportedly halting deliveries of its polarizing electric pickup over quality issues.
As first reported by CNBC, Tesla Cybertruck owner Jose Martinez was driving his EV truck at a local, Southern California drag strip when the accelerator pedal got stuck all the way down. According to his own TikTok video, which has amassed 3.4 million videos in two days, the metallic accelerator pedal cover slipped off and wedged itself into the carpeting surrounding it.
Thankfully, Martinez was able to keep his six-day-old Cybertruck under control with the accelerator-overriding brake pedal. Because he was at the track, Martinez said the lack of cars, buildings, and trees in front of him made the alarming situation more manageable. Even so, Martinez admitted that fixing safety issues like this should be a top priority for Tesla, according to his interview with CNBC.
Another Cybertruck owner reportedly experienced a similar issue, claiming on an owner's forum that the truck continued to pick up speed even after they released the accelerator. The author alleged that pressing the brakes did nothing, ultimately hitting a light pole with only 350 miles on the odometer.
Such high-profile attention has garnered interest in the issue from the Federal government, specifically from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"NHTSA is aware of this issue and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," an NHTSA spokesperson confirmed to Road & Track. Notably, NHTSA is not officially investigating or probing the Tesla Cybertruck at this time.
The reported stop-sale from Tesla comes without a confirmed connection to Martinez's incident or any specific event. Complaints over confusing messaging from the company have also surfaced on Cybertruck owner forums.
Tesla's Cybertruck has been subject to significant scrutiny since its launch late last year, from pedestrian safety concerns to an official recall over the font size on its infotainment screen. Beyond official safety qualms, Tesla has been accused of lacking quality control in its Cybertruck production, as the stainless steel panels begin to rust early on and steering faults have appeared right off the lot.
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