Tesla Cyberbeast Owner Says, I’m Driving at 55 MPH Coming Back From a Ski Trip, When All Of a Sudden I Heard a Terrible Ripping Apart Sound Coming From the Top of My Truck

"Beast, why do you keep falling apart on me?"

That's what Tesla Cybertruck owner Fransisco Banchs says in his Facebook post dedicated to Cybertruck owners. Now, picture this: you're taking your new Cybertbeast and your son to the mountains for a skiing trip, and on the way back, something completely unexpected happens.

You haven't taken your new tri-motor Cyberbeast on a road trip and are excited to see how it performs in the mountain terrain. It's an excellent test for your electric truck. It performs well until you head back home. 

You hear a loud scraping sound and see something fly off your truck in your side mirror. You pull over and check your vehicle and see it's missing a long trim piece above the side of your truck. 

You look back and see a metal trim piece from your truck lying in the road. You turn your vehicle around and pick up the piece before someone runs over it. You put it in the back of the truck and wonder how this could happen. 

Here is Fransisco's Story

Fransisco says, "We were driving back from the mountain at around 55 MPH when all of a sudden heard a terrible rip-apart sound coming from the top of the truck. I initially thought it was a huge piece of ice sliding off the truck; my son thought that the sound came from his skis flying off the roof of the Cyberbeast."

"Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw something fly off my window and heard a metal sound; I immediately stopped and turned around and could not believe my eyes. How in the world can this piece of steel fly out like this?"

The good news is Francisco gets his truck fixed.

Fransisco immediately contacted Tesla's service and was pleasantly surprised by the quick resolution. They promptly fixed the faulty trim piece on his truck under warranty, leaving this owner feeling reassured and satisfied with the service. 

Fransisco says, "Doing what is right is what I care about." 

"I don't mind the setbacks and debugging when embracing something new, but I do mind how the company that manufactures the product handles them. My CyberBeast is back with a new right side body module, a new driver side panel in place (replacing the one that flew out), a new lightbar installed (this time aligned correctly), and finally, its newly installed CyberTent."

Is This A Common Problem With the Cybertruck?

According to recent Reddit user reports, several Cybertruck owners have experienced issues with trim pieces, including molding, coming loose or falling off due to improper installation. The problem prompted Tesla to recall affected vehicles and replace or reattach the trim pieces. 

Key points about the Cybertruck molding issue:

• Recall issued: Tesla has officially recalled Cybertrucks due to concerns about loose trim pieces that could fall off while driving. 
• Cause of the problem: Investigations have found that the trim pieces were not properly attached during manufacturing, causing them to come loose. 
• What to do if affected: If you notice your Cybertruck's molding coming off, contact your local Tesla service center to have it inspected and fixed under the recall. 

A report from CNN Business says,

"A piece of black plastic trim that runs along the edge of the truck's angled bed wall can come loose and may detach from the vehicle while it's being driven."

"If the applique separates from the vehicle while driving, it could create a road hazard for following motorists and increase their risk of injury or a collision."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a federal agency responsible for vehicle safety, became involved due to the potential safety hazards posed by the loose trim pieces.

According to the NHTSA website, the problem emerged when the piece was missing from a Cybertruck that was transported to a delivery center on a car hauler. 

CNN Business says, "An investigation by Tesla revealed that the piece had not been properly installed. Further investigation revealed more cases of the trim pieces coming loose because of improper installation. Some of these cases were on Cybertrucks that had been delivered to customers."

Tesla Issued A Recall For the Cybertruck Issue

Cybertruck owners were asked to bring their trucks to a Tesla service center where the trim piece was replaced or installed properly with "adhesion promotor" and pressure-sensitive tape. Tesla began notifying Cybertruck owners of the recall in August 2024.

Final Thoughts and Questions For Cybertruck Owners

Tesla took a proactive approach to the issue, asking Cybertruck owners to bring their vehicles to a service center for a fix. 

As a result, Fransisco is a happy Tesla customer because the electric automaker quickly resolved his problem. He understands that any all-new vehicle will have some quality control issues to work out. It's a common occurrence with many all-new models.

Tesla Gave Fransisco Excellent Customer Service 

"I love my CyberBeast, and so far, I have loved how Tesla has managed my concerns for the last eight years," he concludes. 

It's Your Turn

Do you own a Tesla Cybertruck or Cyberbeast? Tell us about your experience with your truck and if you've had issues like a trim piece coming off. Your insights and experiences can be valuable to other Cybertruck owners. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Cybertruck report titled; Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “Driving My Cybertruck Has Been a Transformative Experience, It Reshaped My Daily Commute and My Outlook On Life”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Fransisco Banchs