How Soap Likely Made Tesla Recall Almost 4,000 Cybertrucks

Tesla (TSLA) has ordered a voluntary recall of almost 4,000 Cybertrucks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found an issue with the vehicle’s accelerator pedal.

“When high force is applied to the pad on the accelerator pedal, the pad may dislodge, which may cause the pedal to become trapped in the interior trim above the pedal,” the NHTSA said. It noted that if that happens, “the performance and operation of the pedal will be affected, which may increase the risk of a collision.”

Regulators explained that the pads likely came loose as soap, used as a lubricant in the vehicle assembly process, prevented them from remaining stuck to the pedal.

The NHTSA pointed out that Tesla, which reports first-quarter results on Tuesday, will replace or rework the accelerator pedal assembly to prevent the pad from dislodging at no charge to customers.

A total of 3,878 Cybertrucks are involved in the recall, including all that were manufactured between November 13 and April 4. 

This is the latest in the string of rough news for the company, though not its first vehicle recall this year. Too small font-sizes on its warning panel forced Tesla to recall more than 2 million cars in February.

Tesla was the biggest decliner in the S&P 500 index in the first quarter, amid slumping demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the EV giant had ended plans to produce a lower-cost car, sometimes called the Model 2, and would instead focus on building its robotaxi. Later, Tesla reportedly told employees it would be slashing its workforce by more than 10%.

Tesla shares were little changed at $149.18 as of 12:10 p.m. ET Friday. They are down almost 40% this year.