Tesla is Refusing to Accept Recalled Cybertrucks With Defective Inverters as Trade-In Vehicles Even for Individuals Willing to Pay Tesla More Money to Upgrade to a Cyberbeast

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A Cybertruck owner says his truck has a recall notice for a defective rear motor inverter. It will take two months to fix the issue; however, Tesla refused him as he was trying to trade in the problematic Cybertruck and upgrade to a Cyberbeast.

A Cybertruck owner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sean, says Tesla is refusing to accept his recalled Cybertruck with a defective rear motor inverter as a trade-in vehicle.

Sean adds that he doesn’t want to wait the approximately two months it would take Tesla to perform the repair, so he’s willing to trade in the vehicle, pay Tesla more money, and upgrade to a tri-motor Cybertruck Cyberbeast.

However, it appears that the EV maker doesn’t want to take Sean’s Cybertruck back under any circumstances.

Sean, who goes by the username “TrueRoadWarrior” shared his story on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum. Here is what he wrote…

“In a recent post, I shared that I expected a long wait time for the recall repair of the inverter on my All-Wheel-Drive Cybertruck. It looks as though 2 months is the lead time, and I just came from the service center. That all depends on when they actually receive the repair parts.

I decided I would look into trading my AWD Foundation Series Cybertruck in for a Cyberbeast if I could take delivery sooner as I can’t risk driving my truck (my only vehicle) long distances if there’s a possibility of the inverter breaking.”

Before proceeding, it is important to note that Sean is only looking to get a new Cybertruck because the current one has a major flaw that Tesla will not fix for months.

Most people would be frustrated with a car company that puts them in such a predicament; however, Sean is still willing to give Tesla another chance and even pay more money for the tri-motor Cybertruck Cyberbeast.

Keeping this in mind, let’s see how Tesla responded to his request. Sean continues to write…

“I went to Tesla’s trade-in estimator, entered my VIN, and then received a text from a Tesla Representative who shared that “…At this time, we're not accepting any Cybertruck trade-ins.” Not for upgrades or anything else.”

What’s interesting here is that if Sean wanted to trade in any vehicle other than a Cybertruck, even an internal combustion vehicle from a completely different car company, Tesla would be willing to give him a trade-in estimate.

However, if a Cybertruck owner is looking to trade in his/her truck, it appears that Tesla wants nothing to do with them.

Finally, Sean concludes his post writing…

“I’m not sure what I would get for the Foundation Series AWD, but based on Tesla’s response, I think I might be lucky to get 75% of what I paid for it. This is deeply concerning.”

Sean believes it’s alarming that Tesla is unwilling to stand behind its products. However, other forum members, who also happen to be Cybertruck owners, say Tesla is in the right here.

For example, Carsly, a Cybertruck owner from Princeton, New Jersey, writes…

“Your purchase agreement likely precludes you from selling for one year. So, how do you expect to trade it in?

Maybe if you were one of the first Cybertruck owners to take delivery last year, you'll be able to trade it in a few weeks once your one-year prohibition on transfers has elapsed. Otherwise, a year is a year.”

This is a surprising stance to see a Cybertruck owner take. First, Tesla instituted the purchase agreement to prevent individuals from buying and flipping the truck for a profit on the secondary market.

This made sense in the early days of the Cybertruck when the truck was selling for as much as $200,000.

However, Sean’s case is that he’s forced to get a new vehicle because Tesla will not fix his recalled Cybertruck for 2 months. Despite this fact, he’s willing to give Tesla more money to upgrade to an even more expensive Cybertruck version.

For me, this sounds like Tesla not standing behind its products; however, please let me know what you think in the comments. Share your ideas by clicking the red “Add new comment” button below. Also, visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, inc.

For more information, check out: Tesla Cybertruck Owner Finds His Cybertruck Leaking Oil, Now He Needs a $7,665 Motor Replacement

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.

Submitted by Chase Woofer (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 10:32AM

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I just don't understand what it is that gets these people to fork out gobs of money on a vehicle that was falsely advertised, has lots of documented issues and, leaves you high and dry when something goes wrong.

I've read story after story about people having so many problems, yet stick with such a horrible brand.

Submitted by NMK (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 11:03AM

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If it is a recall, doesn't Tesla have to repair it on their dime anyways? Why would they care if it was while it was owned or after a trade in? Either way they have to fix it.

Submitted by Alex (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 11:07AM

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As long as Tesla puts him in a rental, I don't see the big deal. No car manufacturer has an obligation to adhere to that customer's request.

Submitted by Former GM tech (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 11:08AM

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If the vehicle is still functioning, why is this a story? Even if it broke down, Tesla would put him in a loaner while waiting for the parts and repair for his truck.

Just another snowflake that thinks the world operates like Burger King. And If you don't get it your way, you whine.

I got some advice for all of you EV drivers. Learn to be patient, especially with EVs, if the parts are on backorder, why would Tesla take it in on trade?
They are having a hard enough time moving them as it is, and taking that one in trade means they would be stuck with a used, deprecated unit that they can't sell until the recall is done.

And for him to be surprised that his silly truck isn't even worth 75% of what he paid shows you how out of touch with reality he is. Everyone knows you lose 50% driving it off the lot, and especially with a live it or hate it vehicle, the resale value just isn't there. If it was the top of the line model maybe, but it looks like he's trying to dump his mid range one for the top one.

This problem is easy to solve. Just drive your truck until the new inverter shows up, then have it replaced. Then trade the truck in when it is a recall free, saleable truck (car).

Submitted by Jim dumbas (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 12:14PM

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What a fool!! Tesla doesn't want his trade-in because it's having problems selling it's new trucks and doesn't want to deal with used resales at this time. Doesn't want to break the myth that sales are robust. The cybertruck has been a cyberdisaster but Tesla will never admit it. Thanks Elon, you loser

I don't think it's that simple. He went online to an online system. He never spoke to a representative of tesla who probably, like most companies, would have went the effort to help him. His vin is in the system locked as per his contract with tesla so it only makes sense that an online trade in would be declined and flagged

Submitted by Jim Moorcroft (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 1:34PM

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I'd run it hard hoping the inverter would break.. bring it back repeatedly to the dealer for a repair. Be aware of what your State lemon law requirements are.

Submitted by Aaron Robert Kelly (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 1:39PM

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His only vehicle....ugh, his first mistake was buying a toy truck and relying on it.

I could have predicted a cyber truck as your only vehicle was a bad plan and I only have a high school education.

Stop being dumb.

Submitted by Tangela Wagner… (not verified) on November 28, 2024 - 5:29PM

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I would not invest in a truck as expensive as this and the company don't honor the issue or make me a satisfied customer. Oh hell no. NEVER

Submitted by Daniel Fryberger (not verified) on December 2, 2024 - 5:00PM

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I personally wouldn't buy a tesla product, of any style, specifically for this reason. They are junk vehicles and tesla refuses to stand by their product. If I have to jump through that many hoops to have a vehicle, I'll just walk thank you.

Submitted by Chauncey Park (not verified) on December 4, 2024 - 10:00AM

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No wonder our country is going downhill when people accept these agreements. Stupid is as Stupid does.