Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “I Regret Spending $130K On a Cybertruck, It Had a Critical Failure, I Can’t Drive It, and Tesla Can’t Get Me In for 39 Days"

"Here is why I regret spending $130,000 on a Cybertruck." 

This is what Stephen Jones, an owner of a 2024 Tesla Cyberbeast, says in a Tesla Cybertruck Owner's Facebook post.

He confesses, "I love the truck, but is it worth the hefty price tag? No. But I enjoy it, so it overshadows the high cost, and I'm willing to overlook it."

However, overlooking the cost is not his problem. 

If the electric truck were running, he would be as happy as any Cybertruck owner out there. However, it's not running, and he can't drive it.

Imagine spending $130,000 on a new truck you dreamed about owning since you heard about it for two years. You placed your order, and it has finally arrived. It's everything you expected and more. It's the most technologically advanced vehicle on the planet, and it's worth every penny.   

Then, the truck has a critical failure.

His Cyberytruck, only ten months old, had a critical failure. He can't charge the battery now, and he can't make it to the service center, which is 50 miles away. So, he's without the truck he loves.

He opened a service request with Tesla, and they don't have the parts to fix his CT.

Now, he has to wait 39 days even to get his truck into the service center, and it's unknown how long they will need to keep it.

Stephen wants to fix and keep the Cybertruck, but is now considering the Lemon Law. 

Here is what Stephen says, 

On Saturday, June 28, I experienced a critical failure in my 10-month-old Cyberbeast. It forced me to pull over and stop. While stopped, I powered the truck off, and to my surprise, it started working. Well, almost.

It reported a problem with the charge port ECU (no comms). I was able to drive home, but I'm unable to charge. Therefore, I can't drive the truck as it is currently below 20%, and the nearest service center is 50 miles away. 

I opened a service request that day and was assigned a mobile service for July 7. On June 30, I was notified that I would need to bring the truck to the Service Center on July 23. 

I wrote back on June 30, stating that not being able to drive the vehicle for more than four weeks was a problem for me. They responded that they would look into it and get back to me, but they never did. 

On July 7, I submitted a request for an update, as I hadn't heard back from them. They responded that I could bring the truck in anytime Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm. 

Great, I told them I would be there on July 8 at 8 am, and they responded with a confirmation. I drove the truck to the service center and was denied service because they stated that I would have to bring it back on July 23, as they don't have the parts in stock. 

I returned the truck to my house; the trip had used up over 30% of the truck's charge, which is why it's now below 20%. Yesterday, July 9, I was notified that the service was rescheduled for July 16. 

So, that's better than the 23rd. However, they rescheduled for today, July 10, but it was later rescheduled for August 5. That will take 39 days until I can even get the truck into the service center. 

I cannot drive it because it barely has enough charge to get there. 

So, on Monday, the 14th, I will need to file a 'defect notification form' with Tesla and the Florida Attorney General's office.

This is a crucial step in initiating the Lemon Law process. 

"It's disheartening that the service is so poor that it takes over a month to even inspect the vehicle," he laments. 

In Florida, you can begin the Lemon Law if "the vehicle has been out of service for 15 or more days for repair of one or more substantial defects or conditions." This is from the attorney general's website. 

I hope it doesn't come to this, but I need my truck repaired or returned; I would prefer it to be repaired.

Is Stephen's Tesla Cybertruck eligible for the Lemon Law?

According to Bad Vehicle, Stephen's Cybertruck may be eligible for Florida's Lemon Law, even with the extended wait time for a repair appointment. 

The report says, "Any situation, including parts shortages, delays, or lack of availability, that keeps your vehicle at the dealership for more than 30 days makes you eligible for Lemon Law protection. Replacement part shortages and delays have become a more common source of Lemon Law claims in recent years."

However, Stephen’s Tesla Cybertruck is not at the dealer. It's sitting at home. The Tesla Service Center did look at his Cybertruck long enough to determine he did need parts. So, he likely does qualify.

Here is what Cybertruck owners need to know: The Florida Bar says,

Eligibility Period: The Florida Lemon Law covers new vehicles (purchased or leased for personal, family, or household purposes) for defects that occur within the first 24 months after delivery. Used vehicles are generally not covered by Florida's Lemon Law.

What Constitutes a "Lemon": A vehicle is considered a lemon if it has a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer (through its authorized service agents, such as the dealer) is unable to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts.

"Reasonable Number of Attempts" and the 30-Day Rule: Florida law defines a "reasonable number of attempts" as either:

• Three or more unsuccessful attempts to repair the same defect, plus a final repair attempt by the manufacturer after you've provided written notice.
• The vehicle is out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more due to repairs for one or more nonconformities (defects). 

Here is what Stephen needs to do:

Written Notice: You must send written notification to the vehicle manufacturer (not just the dealer) by registered or express mail, informing them of the defect and providing a final opportunity to repair the vehicle. You can use the Motor Vehicle Defect Notification form from the Attorney General's Office.

Manufacturer's Final Opportunity: The manufacturer typically has 10 days to direct you to a repair facility and an additional 10 days after you deliver the vehicle to that facility to address the problem.

Documentation: Keep detailed records of everything, including:

• Dates of reporting the defect.
• Copies of all repair orders and invoices are available.
• Correspondence with the dealer and manufacturer.
• Mileage readings at each service visit.
• Any expenses incurred due to the problem (rental car, transportation costs, etc.). 

Next steps for Stephen:

He should contact the Florida Attorney General's office at their Lemon Law Hotline (800-321-5366 or 850-414-3500) for the Consumer Guide to the Florida Lemon Law booklet and further guidance on the arbitration process.

He should consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in Florida Lemon Law to discuss his specific situation and ensure he follows all the required procedures correctly. 

Conclusion: 

In Stephen's situation, the 39-day delay in getting the vehicle inspected may be enough to trigger Lemon Law rights under the 30-day "out of service" rule. The 30 days do not have to be consecutive. 

While the 30-day period for being out of service can create a presumption of a lemon, he will still need to prove at an arbitration hearing that the defect substantially affects the vehicle's safety, use, or reliability. 

What Would You Do?

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Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: I Was Worried About My Tesla Cybertruck, So I Parked Away From Everyone. When I Came Out, I Was Shocked to See My CT Dwarfed By Two Ford F-150s

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl