Cybertruck Stainless Panels are falling off ...Is this a new phenomena?

[btcrealm]

Now that is definitely a factory problem. I'm going to geek out here.

Either :
1. The panel was not cleaned properly prior to bonding. [panel forming\stamping oil is thick gooey stuff - as it has to prevent mechanical damage to the panel when forming - it acts like a lubricant and a 'pad']
2. The panel was cleaned - but delayed too long prior to bonding.
3. The wrong bonding was used.
4. The right bonding, at the wrong external temperature & humidity. 'Cold Bond'
5. The right bonding, expired : has limited work time.

Tesla should step up - without issue and get this fixed. The question is: Can the repair center do this? Meaning is this bond in a 'caulking' tube or a 2-part which requires, mixing. [The tesla factory has this likely in 55 gallon drums with oxygen free or nitrogen filled dispensing systems]
..can they clean the panel properly for factory bond. Acetone: for example pulls water to the surface as it evaporates, more than 'dries'

Sorry man...let us know what they do.

Regards
Jack

And @Crissa there is a misconception here about how that happened. Apologies.
This is due to a deer hitting my truck about 55 mph. I documented it in this thread here: cybertruck deer hit
What I am showing with this is that the 3M bonding tape will work in the trim cases as a temporary fix.

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[mongo]

Recall issued.

They are changing adhesives and welding the front stud/ nut to the stainless instead of the support bracket. So direct mechanical connection.

All truck manufacturer through February 27th, but report says only 1% impacted.


https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V170-9407.PDF

 

[Aces-Truck]

Well that explains a lot. After carefully reading through the recall statement, Tesla believes that while any CTs currently on the road could experience deamination of the cantrails; they expect that perhaps only 1% of all vehicles would experience it actually coming off. Seems like temperature extremes are a big factor (cold primarily?), causing adhesive to become brittle.

Adding a Stud to the leading edge makes sense. But I wonder about the change to a different adhesive. If this is known to be a better product, why didn't they use it in the first place? Expect a bunch of Lawyers to start salivating...

The other big question is if Tesla thinks that only 1% are affected, will they inspect and not replace on some CTs? As an owner, I'd want mine replaced.

 

[mongo]

Well that explains a lot. After carefully reading through the recall statement, Tesla believes that while any CTs currently on the road could experience deamination of the cantrails; they expect that perhaps only 1% of all vehicles would experience it actually coming off. Seems like temperature extremes are a big factor (cold primarily?), causing adhesive to become brittle.

Adding a Stud to the leading edge makes sense. But I wonder about the change to a different adhesive. If this is known to be a better product, why didn't they use it in the first place? Expect a bunch of Lawyers to start salivating...

The other big question is if Tesla thinks that only 1% are affected, will they inspect and not replace on some CTs? As an owner, I'd want mine replaced.

They will replace them all.
My May delivery lived outside in Michigan all winter with no issues. While frost jacking might do it, so could poor surface prep. The presumed current adhesive wasn't a bad choice (why lawyers? What damage?).
Welding the leading stud to the stainless is the main fix, especially in vehicles like mine where there is a slight overlap to the front fender and overtightening the faster might stress the adhesive.

 

[Aces-Truck]

The presumed current adhesive wasn't a bad choice (why lawyers? What damage?).
Welding the leading

I see the ads on TV all the time. "you may be entitled to....". I'm not saying it's justified. Just that a lot of law firms are looking to make money.

 

[Aces-Truck]

I wonder if there's way they can remove the existing Cantrails without damaging them. Then presumably they could refurbish them, by adding the Stud. Seems a waste to throw out the old ones. But then, maybe labor costs to take them off in a way that preserves them might be more costly than new ones...

 

[BannedByTMC]

 

[mongo]

I wonder if there's way they can remove the existing Cantrails without damaging them. Then presumably they could refurbish them, by adding the Stud. Seems a waste to throw out the old ones. But then, maybe labor costs to take them off in a way that preserves them might be more costly than new ones...

Not easily. Need to peel it off without damage, remove adhesive from both pieces, remove stud from mounting bracket, weld new stud to stainless, reapply adhesive, then cure.
All the labor of a new one plus labor of refurbishment. Offset by reuse of stamped and painted part + stainless. Gotta think labor cost outweighs material savings.

 

[HaulingAss]

Seems they skimped on the adhesives.

This also means they probably didn't age test the adhesives. yikes.

The adhesives have already been extensively age-tested. It's more likely they just skipped on the cleaning step to reduce solvent usage. Structural adhesives depend upon a chemical bond between the adhesive and the metal and even a little oil residue can interfere with that.

It could also be they didn't allow for enough movement between the attachment points. Glue and 1.4 mm steel is very unforgiving when it comes to movement. Or a combination of the two.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

They will replace them all.
My May delivery lived outside in Michigan all winter with no issues. While frost jacking might do it, so could poor surface prep. The presumed current adhesive wasn't a bad choice (why lawyers? What damage?).
Welding the leading stud to the stainless is the main fix, especially in vehicles like mine where there is a slight overlap to the front fender and overtightening the faster might stress the adhesive.

Nope. Mine has been in the shop twice in the last two weeks and both times they told me the recall doesn’t apply to my (Feb 2025 build) VIN. Yes, I did receive the recall letter, which doesn’t say anything about inspecting, testing etc, just says the work must be done. So someone is clueless. I’m not sweating it until/when they delaminate.

 

[Mini2nut]

I am sure structural adhesive 2.0 that is currently being used on the CT assembly line will solve the delaminating panel issues. I read that CT owners in colder climates are suffering a higher failure rate than owners that live in warmer climate zones.

The online Cybertruck collision repair manual shows the following structural adhesive's that are approved:

- 2098 Crash Durable Structural Adhesive

-Fusor 2098 Crash Durable Structural Adhesive (Slow)

-Impact Resistant Structural Adhesive (3M 07333)

 

[koolio]

Nope. Mine has been in the shop twice in the last two weeks and both times they told me the recall doesn’t apply to my (Feb 2025 build) VIN. Yes, I did receive the recall letter, which doesn’t say anything about inspecting, testing etc, just says the work must be done. So someone is clueless. I’m not sweating it until/when they delaminate.

Similar to my experience.

In early June, I had an appointment to replace the cantrails and while it was there they told me I already had the updated cantrails so they didn't replace them. Mine was built Nov 2024, but had the passenger side cantrails replaced back in February (when I asked to fix a slight alignment issue). The invoice did not say they replaced the drivers side but when they 'inspected' it in June, they said it is the new cantrail.

The leading edges of mine looks fine and I'm not worried about it. I keep tabs on them though, just in case.

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