Driving just ten minutes these days on a Seminole County road usually guarantees you will get a glimpse of a Cybertruck. With two dealerships in Orlando and one in Kissimmee, Cybertrucks have become less surprising and more of an expectation, even as reports of them catching on fire and their locks breaking show no sign of stopping.
But another danger from Cybertrucks threatens their occupants and those who haven’t chosen to get into one.
Recently, a headline on Wired announced, “Nearly All Cybertrucks Have Been Recalled Because Tesla Used the Wrong Glue.” The glue, used to attach trim panels to the rest of the vehicle, doesn’t always keep the panels fastened on securely. When the glue fails, the panel falls off.
It’s unnerving to know that at any moment, a panel could detach from one of these vehicles, endangering anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby. There’s no telling whether it could happen at fifteen miles an hour, next to a group of neighborhood children, or at seventy miles an hour on the highway with dozens of other drivers and passengers around.
This recall isn’t the first for Tesla—or even its biggest controversy this year. Since its owner, Elon Musk, formed DOGE and began slashing through budgets and services approved by Congress, Tesla has seen protests springing up around the country.
These protests are a direct result of Musk’s interference in the federal government, with protesters speaking out against not only the cuts themselves, but also the process. Well-known for disruption, Musk is now disrupting the federal government and the rule of law, threatening both courts and legislators who dare to stand up to him.
The billionaire who branded himself a tech genius sells cars that literally fall apart, all while destroying the results of taxpayer dollars.
It is worth mentioning the federal agency responsible for vehicle safety: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA publicizes recalls and enforces safety standards, allowing us to use our roads much more safely than we could without it. The NHTSA should be supported for the services it provides everyday Americans.
But in February, DOGE firings targeted NHTSA regulators in charge of vehicle safety—the folks who keep our roads and our people safe from cars whose panels fall off because their company used the wrong glue.
Lately, Tesla’s stocks have taken a hit. Some Tesla owners have sold their vehicles, and fewer buyers purchase from the company. Whether the company will heed calls for it to part ways with its owner remains to be seen. But it’s no longer enough for Musk to be accountable only to Tesla and its customers. His actions have put him at odds with the American people.
There are actions we can take now and plans we can make for later. For now, this recall is a good reminder to be alert on the roads. Stay aware of surrounding vehicles, and practice defensive driving.
If you own a Cybertruck, PLEASE follow the terms of the recall so as not to endanger yourself, your passengers, and those sharing the road and surrounding areas with you. This is a physical issue. Tesla can’t push a software update; the vehicle needs to be taken to a service center. If you haven’t yet gotten your repairs completed, make this a priority. Notices are expected to be mailed to Cybertruck owners on May 19, and Tesla will repair the defect for free.
As for the future, stay aware of Musk’s involvement in our political systems. Oppose his illegal dismantling of the services that Americans and our money have paid for. Notice how what he does benefits his own wallet by taking from yours. And seek out opportunities to peacefully organize with others who want American government to work for the people, not take from the people and give to billionaires.