Cybertruck Panels Flying Off – A Wrap Shop Owner's Discovery
The Tesla Cybertruck was marketed as the toughest truck ever built, a futuristic vehicle designed to revolutionize the industry. However, real-world experiences from owners, including professional vehicle wrappers, reveal a disturbing pattern of poor build quality, multiple recalls, and now, dangerously loose body panels. Despite the bold claims made by Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, the Cybertruck continues to face serious reliability concerns.
One of the most alarming issues surfaced when Reid Tomasko, the owner of Shock Auto Styling in New Hampshire, experienced a critical failure with his own Cybertruck. While driving, a large, boomerang-shaped trim piece detached from the vehicle, posing a severe hazard to other drivers. As someone who has worked on dozens of Cybertrucks, Tomasko took it upon himself to investigate the issue and discovered a shocking flaw in Tesla’s approach to attaching body panels.
Wrap Shop Owner Uncovers a Major Flaw
Tomasko’s findings reveal that Tesla secures Cybertruck body panels to plastic frames, which are then bolted to the truck’s body. However, instead of using bolts or fasteners to attach the metal panels to the frames, Tesla relies entirely on adhesive. While high-strength adhesives are widely used in various industries, including construction and aerospace, their effectiveness depends on proper application, environmental factors, and material compatibility.
Based on his research, Tomasko suspects that Tesla may have cut corners in the adhesion process. Whether due to poor-quality adhesive, improper bonding techniques, or environmental stressors like extreme temperatures, the panels are failing. In colder climates, where metal contracts, the adhesive appears unable to flex sufficiently, leading to detachment. Even worse, Tomasko has identified similar failures in at least 15 to 20 percent of Cybertrucks he has worked on, with newer models exhibiting the problem more frequently than older ones.
Why This Matters for Wrapping Cybertrucks
For wrap shop owners and installers, this revelation raises serious concerns. Vinyl wraps are designed to adhere to a vehicle’s surface, protecting the paint and enhancing aesthetics. However, if the underlying panels are at risk of falling off, wrapping a Cybertruck becomes a much riskier endeavor. The adhesive bond between the wrap and the panel may be strong, but if the panel itself detaches from the truck, the wrap won’t prevent catastrophic failure.
Additionally, wrap professionals must consider liability when working on Cybertrucks. If a wrapped panel comes loose while driving, who is responsible? The wrap installer or Tesla? Without a clear resolution to the panel detachment issue, many wrap shops may choose to refuse working on Cybertrucks altogether. A vinyl wrap cannot compensate for a structural defect, and shop owners cannot risk damaging their reputation or endangering customers due to Tesla’s poor engineering.
Beyond Build Quality: Why You Shouldn't Buy One
Aside from serious quality control issues, the Cybertruck represents a larger set of problems that potential buyers should consider. Tesla has a long history of build quality concerns, from misaligned panels to faulty electronics. The Cybertruck’s problems extend beyond adhesives—previous recalls include unintended acceleration, windshield wiper failures, and crucial trim pieces flying off at high speeds.
More concerning is Tesla’s response to these issues. Numerous owners have reported that Tesla service centers are unwilling to address trim failures unless the pieces have already fallen off. This reactive approach to safety raises red flags, as it suggests that Tesla prioritizes cost-cutting over ensuring customer safety.
The Ethical Dilemma of Supporting Tesla
Beyond the mechanical failures, purchasing a Cybertruck is an endorsement of a company with a deeply problematic track record. Tesla’s environmental claims are questionable at best, given its supply chain issues and reliance on mining practices that harm ecosystems. Reports of worker exploitation, unsafe factory conditions, and racial discrimination at Tesla plants further tarnish the brand’s reputation.
Additionally, Elon Musk’s political affiliations and increasing alignment with far-right ideologies raise concerns for many consumers. His actions have drawn criticism for spreading misinformation, attacking free speech, and undermining democratic institutions. Supporting Tesla financially also means supporting Musk’s broader influence, which many find troubling.
Think Twice Before Wrapping or Buying
For wrap shop owners, the risks associated with working on Cybertrucks outweigh any potential profits. The structural issues make them a liability, and Tesla’s unwillingness to take responsibility compounds the problem. For consumers, buying a Cybertruck means accepting not only a deeply flawed product but also aligning with a company and CEO known for unethical practices.
If you’re considering a Cybertruck, ask yourself: Do you want to spend $100,000 on a vehicle that is already falling apart? Are you comfortable supporting a company that refuses to take accountability for safety issues? With so many better-engineered, ethically produced vehicles on the market, the answer should be clear.