Cybertruck repair after major accident (damage to aluminum structure, engine subframe and steering rack)

[Cosmos78]

Today I want to tell you about a friend's Cybertruck. The car was in an accident on the highway and the front end was damaged. Unfortunately, the aluminum structure cracked, ruining the engine subframe and the steering rack.

He ordered an aluminum front end to replace it, and also purchased a subframe and other parts for the car. These parts will be installed at a Tesla service center in St. Petersburg in March.

Should he fix it or buy a new Cybertruck Beast? He originally had a Foundation Series model, but perhaps the newer vehicles are much better built?

Sponsored

 

[Gaximus]

This is good for insurance, if it can be damaged this bad and not be considered totaled. Bad for us, I would want that to be considered totaled, and just replace it with a new one.

 

[65SoYoLO]

In my imaginary world, I would like to take all the parts, add a second OEM cyber truck battery for double the range, build a frame to fit it all and make a crazy off road vehicle. I have a heck of an imagination. I just need another 50-100 grand. I have to check my tickets...

 

[JackCypher]

Sorry that happened, it looks quite bad. Typically the 'undiscovered' damage underneath the bad visible stuff is what is the drive to 'total' the vehicle.

This photo, it appears to sitting on the ground / on the battery pack is concerning. Often when damage cars are handled in the tow yards/shop - they discount the minor damage they cause in handling.

Additionally, I'd understand most experience body shops would assume from first glance that CT is totaled - so 'babying' it around the yard is a waste of time.

As CT are somewhat new - I am interested to see if it is *only* as damaged as observed, and the repair can be made. And Tesla supports all the electrical and electronic resets needed to reboot it back to operation.

Good luck to your friend & regards
Jack

 

[EasternSP]

Yeeeooowwwww!!! I don't know if it's rumor or not, but this kind of damage can only be repaired by an authorized Tesla shop because many parts can't be ordered by anyone else.

 

[CyberTrk]

I would prefer to get it totaled to get a new one
and buy back the wreck from the insurance to use it for solar energy storage.

 

[Fugue]

In my imaginary world, I would like to take all the parts, add a second OEM cyber truck battery for double the range, build a frame to fit it all and make a crazy off road vehicle. I have a heck of an imagination. I just need another 50-100 grand. I have to check my tickets...

Or one giant Powerwall.

 

[RayzorBEV]

A Rivian R1T would have been declared a total loss at much less damage than that

 

[65SoYoLO]

Or one giant Powerwall.

and one of those also.

 

[HaulingAss]

This is good for insurance, if it can be damaged this bad and not be considered totaled. Bad for us, I would want that to be considered totaled, and just replace it with a new one.

It's totaled but owners don't always make rational decisions. It has major damage in more than one area of the truck. It was a high energy, high speed impact, best to recycle it/part it out, and get a new one.

I bet FSD wasn't engaged!

 

[undersky]

This is St. Peterburg Russia, not Florida

It's a different reality from insurance standpoint.

 

[HaulingAss]

This is St. Peterburg Russia, not Florida

It's a different reality from insurance standpoint.

Good point, I didn't know that.

I still think it might be a sub-optimal decision, once all is said and done. Because there can be hidden damage that doesn't rear it's head until it's put back on the road. It will also be forging into new territory for whoever is doing the actual work.

If it works out OK, the Cybertruck is even tougher than I thought!

 

[Gaximus]

It's totaled but owners don't always make rational decisions. It has major damage in more than one area of the truck. It was a high energy, high speed impact, best to recycle it/part it out, and get a new one.

I bet FSD wasn't engaged!

The insurance takes the cost that it takes to repair it, and if its more than 70%-80%(different insurance companies have a different set percentage) of the value to replace the vehicle, then they call it totaled. The cyber truck being cheaper to fix, and modular, means they can repair it like new, under that cost.

 

[Cosmos78]

This is good for insurance, if it can be damaged this bad and not be considered totaled. Bad for us, I would want that to be considered totaled, and just replace it with a new one.

Well, what should you do if you love your car and don’t want another one?

 

[Cosmos78]

Sorry that happened, it looks quite bad. Typically the 'undiscovered' damage underneath the bad visible stuff is what is the drive to 'total' the vehicle.

This photo, it appears to sitting on the ground / on the battery pack is concerning. Often when damage cars are handled in the tow yards/shop - they discount the minor damage they cause in handling.

Additionally, I'd understand most experience body shops would assume from first glance that CT is totaled - so 'babying' it around the yard is a waste of time.

As CT are somewhat new - I am interested to see if it is *only* as damaged as observed, and the repair can be made. And Tesla supports all the electrical and electronic resets needed to reboot it back to operation.

Good luck to your friend & regards
Jack

You'll be surprised, but the machine's systems are fine; it works and even moved around the site on its own. The battery is intact and working. I'll report back on the results of this machine's repair.

Sponsored