Federal regulators are recalling nearly all of Tesla's Cybertrucks to fix an issue with windshield trim panels that can detach.
The recall involving bad adhesive is the largest yet in the model's short and flawed history. The Cybertruck has been recalled eight times in the last year for safety problems.
The recent recall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers about 46,000 vehicles and all that were manufactured since November of 2023.
Mechanical problems are not the only obstacle Tesla is facing.
"Cars get recalled, it happens. I think when you have a larger-than-life figure like Elon Musk that's associated with the brand, like Tesla, the things that he's doing in his life are going to be tied to the fate of the brand," said Scott Baradell, CEO of Idea Grove, a branding and marketing firm.
Musk has been the face of widespread cuts to government agencies and workers in his capacity as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency.
"It's definitely hurting Tesla. There's there's no question. There's just no benefit whatsoever to Tesla what Elon Musk is doing," said Baradell.
Musk has been trying to stop the slide, holding an all-hands meeting with Tesla employees, while also deepening the brand's ties with the Trump administration.
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In early March, Teslas were staged in front of the White House and on March 19, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urged Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock.
"If you want to learn something on the show tonight, buy Tesla. It's unbelievable that this guy's stock is this cheap. It'll never be this cheap again," said Lutnick during a broadcast.
Tesla's stock has tumbled 35% over the past year and used Teslas are losing their value quicker than other electric vehicles. The Cybertruck, in particular, lost 58% of its value according to Electrek, a news outlet that tracks electric vehicles and sustainable energy.
The brand is also seeing political backlash through attacks at Tesla dealerships and privately owned cars. President Donald Trump called the targeting of the electric vehicles "domestic terrorism."
"In the case of Elon Musk, he's a very conservative person who has not only been conservative, but has said many controversial things about liberals who have been a core constituency that has supported Tesla, which is the brand most associated with him. And so that's a big disconnect that I think ultimately is the biggest reason for all this backlash," said Baradell.
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