Tesla Recalls Most Cybertrucks due to Trim Detaching from Vehicle

A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
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Tesla Recalls Most Cybertrucks due to Trim Detaching from Vehicle

A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo

Tesla said Thursday it is recalling nearly all Cybertrucks in the United States to fix an exterior panel that could detach while driving, the latest in a series of call-backs for the pickup truck.

The recall covers just over 46,000 vehicles built from November 2023 through Feb. 27 of this year, Tesla said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall could prove to be a setback for Tesla, whose stock has lost about half its value this year as the EV automaker 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, Reuters reported.

The recall addresses risks a stainless-steel exterior trim panel can detach from the vehicle, making it a road hazard boosting the risk of a crash, Tesla said. Tesla's service will replace the rail panel assembly with a new one that meets durability testing requirements, the automaker said.

On Feb. 21, NHTSA notified Tesla of a vehicle owner that alleged a rail panel detachment.

Tesla said a detached rail panel may create a detectable noise inside the cabin or customers may observe the panel coming loose or separating from the vehicle.

Tesla said it is aware of 151 warranty claims that may be related to the recall issue, but no collisions or injuries.

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

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 US 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 US and sales boycotts emerge.

Tesla accounts for a large portion of recalled vehicles in the US. In 2024, Tesla topped the list for US 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.

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DeepSeek Available to Download Again in South Korea After Suspension 

The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)
The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)
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DeepSeek Available to Download Again in South Korea After Suspension 

The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)
The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)

Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek became available again on South Korean app markets on Monday for the first time in about two months, when downloads were suspended after authorities cited breaches in data protection rules.

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission said on Thursday that DeepSeek transferred user data and prompts without permission when the service first launched in South Korea in January.

Downloading the app was suspended in February after the questions over personal data protection surfaced, but the service was available for download again on South Korea's app market including via Apple's App Store and Google Play Store.

"We process your personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea," DeepSeek said in a revised privacy policy note applied to the app.

DeepSeek said users had the option to refuse to allow the transfer of personal information to a number of companies in China and the United States.

DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

South Korea's data protection agency said DeepSeek had voluntarily decided to make the app available for download, which it is free to do after at least partially reflecting its recommendations.