Safety regulators have recalled nearly all Tesla Cybertrucks in the US to fix an exterior panel that could "detach" while driving, causing a potentially hazardous projectile.
It's the latest in a series of call-backs for the controversial Tesla pick-up truck.
And it marks another setback for the electric car brand, which has faced significant backlash in recent months since chief executive Elon Musk joined President Donald Trump's inner circle.
So why does Tesla keep recalling its Cybertrucks?
And will we ever see them on Australian roads?
Why is Tesla recalling Cybertrucks?
It all comes down to something very simple — glue.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall warns an exterior panel that runs along the left and right side of the windshield could detach while driving.
This thin stainless steel strip, known as a "cant rail assembly", sits between the windshield and the roof on both sides.
It's bound to the truck with a structural adhesive.
But there are concerns this glue can essentially be broken down by cold and hot weather.
"That's causing the problem now, where a panel can literally leave the vehicle and fly off while you're driving," Paul Maric, founder of automotive website Car Expert said.
What is Tesla doing?
This recall covers more than 46,000 Cybertrucks — that's most that have been sold in the US to date.
Regulators say the solution is using an adhesive that's not vulnerable to "environmental embrittlement".
Basically, better glue.
They say "additional reinforcements" are also needed.
The safety regulator's order says Tesla became aware of the problem early this year. Tesla say they'll replace the panels free of charge.
It comes as videos showing people ripping panels off Cybertrucks with their bare hands went viral online in recent days.
What are the past recalls?
This is the eighth recall issued by Tesla since the Cybertruck deliveries began in late 2023.
This included a call-back in November where a fault in an electric inverter caused the drive wheels to lose power.
Before that, in April last year, the futuristic trucks were recalled to fix acceleration pedals that were getting stuck in the interior trim.
Other recalls were related to the windshield wipers and display screen.
But while recalls "sounds like a bad thing", Mr Maric says it's pretty standard.
"They're generally things that are picked up after production that a manufacturer wants to fix for safety reasons," he said.
"So recalls are good in the sense that people may be getting on top of these little problems and fixing them."
Are Cybertrucks selling well?
It's been a rocky introduction to the pick-up truck game for Tesla.
When the Cybertruck was first revealed, more than a million deposits were put down for the vehicle.
But since then, only about 50,000 have materialised into sales.
They've also been "plagued" with issues, Mr Maric said.
"[Owners] have put them through durability tests and found when they try and tow with them ... the sub assembly of the car actually is quite brittle and can break off," he said.
"It really isn't a vehicle that's suited to the task of being a pick-up truck."
Are people targeting Cybertrucks?
The brand has faced bitter backlash since Mr Musk was appointed by Mr Trump to head the new Department of Government Efficiency, which is slashing government spending.
Tesla showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations and privately owned cars have been have been attacked in recent weeks.
Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of Australian electric vehicle website The Driven, said Cybertrucks were becoming a target of these protests.
"[It's] a focus because of its military style and appearance, which adds to the neo-fascist theme running around Musk," he said.
In January, a Cybertruck exploded outside Mr Trump's Las Vegas hotel, killing the vehicle's sole occupant, a US army soldier who left a note saying it was a "wake-up call" for the country's ills.
Tesla shares have plummeted 42 per cent since the start of the year.
Will Cybertrucks come to Australia?
According to Aussie automotive experts: "Not anytime soon".
"We were told it was going to be sold here, but that has been very much walked back," Mr Maric said.
He said Cybertrucks still didn't meet many regulations required for vehicles to go on sale, including "pedestrian safety" requirements, such as rounded edges and an energy-absorbing structure.
The truck is also only available in left-hand drive, and it's very expensive.
"Tesla's initial price estimates for this vehicle were wildly inaccurate," Mr Maric said.
"Once you start doing the conversion between the US dollar and the Australian dollar, this would end up being a $200,000-plus vehicle in Australia, which I just don't think there's much of an appetite for."
Tesla Australia was contacted for comment.
