Tesla recalls 27,000 Cybertrucks for rearview camera defect

Tesla has recalled more than 27,000 Cybertruck pickups due to a rearview camera defect that can be fixed with a software improvement, according to a notice to US authorities issued this week.

The defect means the camera display may appear blank for up to six-eight seconds, which “may affect the driver’s rear view and increase the risk of a collision,” Tesla said in a notification to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The cameras “may not complete a shutdown process before the system is commanded to boot-up,” it said.

Tesla has received 45 warranty claims for the problem, but said it is not aware of any collisions or injuries. The affected trucks were manufactured between November 2023 and September 2024.

Cybertruck owners can receive an “over-the-air software update” by calling Tesla, the company said in the notice.

Meanwhile, Tesla plans to design four new versions of its in-house battery to power the Cybertruck, its forthcoming robotaxi and other electric vehicles, the Information reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of its plans.

The Elon Musk-led firm currently sources most of its EV batteries from other companies, including Panasonic Energy and LG Energy but has been trying to ramp up production of its 4680 battery cells in the United States to lower costs and boost margins.

The development of the 4680 battery has been facing troubles, with the company losing 70% to 80% of the cathodes in test production compared with conventional battery makers, which lose fewer than 2% of their components to manufacturing defects, the report said.

Cathodes, a key part of the battery, helps in creating energy that propels an EV.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The company has also been trying to scale production of dry-coated version of the 4680 cells but has been struggling with the speed at which they can make the batteries, Reuters had reported last year.

Tesla is planning to introduce the dry cathodes in Cybertruck batteries by the middle of next year, the Information report said, adding that the company plans to make between 2,000 and 3,000 Cybertrucks a week using the dry-coating technology.

By 2026, Tesla plans to introduce four versions of the 4680 that use the dry cathode, one of which, code-named NC05, will power the robotaxi, according to the report.

The EV maker is expected to unveil its long-awaited robotaxi product next week as it looks to shift its focus to AI-powered autonomous technology amid slowing demand for battery-powered cars.

Meanwhile, Swedish trade union IF Metall has filed a lawsuit against Tesla alleging the company failed to inform employee representatives of workplace changes, which is mandatory under the country’s labour laws, union officials said on Thursday.

It was IF Metall’s second lawsuit this year alleging that the U.S. electric vehicle maker was in breach of Sweden’s Co-Determination Act that stipulates companies must inform labour unions of major changes.

The first case has yet to be decided by the courts.

The U.S. group headed by billionaire Elon Musk is at the centre of a year-long dispute in Sweden over its refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement and thus allow IF Metall to negotiate wages and other conditions on behalf of workers.

Tesla did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The car maker has said it offers as good, or better, terms than those demanded by the union, and has found ways to stay in operation and boost its Swedish market share, including by employing non-union staff.

IF Metall in its latest lawsuit said Tesla had reorganised its branch in the Swedish city of Umea without informing the union, according to court documents filed on Wednesday and obtained by Reuters through a freedom of information request.

According to IF Metall, Tesla phased out its entire sales organisation in Umea without informing the union and also outsourced other parts.

The conflict started in October 2023 when a group of Tesla mechanics went on strike, followed by more than a dozen unions that announced action in sympathy, including dockworkers, electricians, maintenance crews and cleaners.

Tesla’s service centre in Umea has had one of the highest numbers of striking workers, according to union officials, but sales staff did not take part.

Agencies