Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “Less Than 2K Miles and My Seat Squeaks, Pillars, Door trim, and Center Dash Rattles, It’s A Rattle-and-Squeak Nightmare”

Does the new Tesla Cybertruck have build quality issues?

On a Tesla Cybertruck Talk Facebook post, Carlos Espinoza says he has multiple build quality issues with his new electric truck. He says there are too many squeaks and rattles, and he only has 2,000 miles on it. Are other Cybertruck owners experiencing the same problems, or is this an isolated problem with the new EV truck?

Carlos says, "Is anyone else's Cybertruck a rattle-and-squeak nightmare? I have less than 2,000 miles, and my seat squeaks, pillars rattle, door trim rattles, and center dash rattles! Tesla tells me it's all within spec."

Imagine spending $80,000 on a new Cybertruck, and it's full of squeaks and rattles. It's so annoying that you ask other owners if they have the same issues. Are you being too picky, or should you expect more from your new electric truck? 

What Are Other Owners Saying?

Carlos is not alone in his experience. Many other Cybertruck owners have also reported build quality issues. 

Shawn Henry - How is his comment BS? I'm on my 5th Tesla, and squeaks and rattles are real. You should book a service appointment and take them on a road test to identify the noises.

Alan K Fox - I've been battling this since the third day I got it, and I took it to the service center yesterday, and they said, yeah, there's a noise, but we don't know what it is, and I left with it continuing to go. It doesn't shut off unless I'm in the park, or it will intermittently come back on.

Brett Siciliano, a top contributor, says, My seat belt roller (driver side) makes noise when I turn or go over curbs, etc. They fixed it once, and now it's doing it again. It drives me crazy.

Juan Castrellon - In the shop now due to rattles and loose interior trim. 1300 miles. I drove to Vegas this weekend, and my CT rattled the entire way.

David Lynn - Every Tesla I've ever driven has squeaks, and plastic trim pops off. My brand new Cybertyruck Beast has freaking window vibrations on both front doors.

Can Az - Squeaks and Rattles are a Tesla thing. My 2013 S, 22 M3P, and short-lived CT in early 2024 all had annoying rattles. I'm super picky, so it's a real issue for me.

However, There Are More Than Half With No Rattling and Squeaking Issues

Many comments like this were from Dallas Nikki Howell.

Mine is the tightest, quietest vehicle I have ever owned. The construction of this vehicle is second to none. Sorry, you are having issues.

Michael Anthony - My driver's seat has a little squeak, but it's not the end of the world. Besides that, I've had zero issues with my Cybertruck and have about 7500 miles.

Does the Tesla Cybertruck Have Build Quality Issues? 

Some Tesla Cybertruck owners have reported rattling and squeaking issues, particularly with interior trim and components. According to CarsDirect, some owners have also reported issues with the body panels, including rattles and panels falling off. 

Interior rattles and squeaks: According to Reddit, some owners have described a rattling sound coming from the rear seats, particularly when no passengers are in the back. 

Severe_Picture says, I had the same. It turned out to be the rear seat row. The rattling stopped when I had passengers back because they pressed it down. Tesla has replaced the entire row, and now there's no rattling. However, it took five service appointments to get it fixed.

According to a YouTube video, others have reported squeaking or creaking sounds coming from the interior trim. 

Body panel issues: CarsDirect reports that Tesla issued a recall for 46,096 Cybertrucks due to exterior panels that could fall off while driving, according to CarsDirect. 

What Does Tesla Say About the Cybertruck's Build Quality?

According to multiple owners, Tesla's service has been proactive in addressing these issues, including replacing entire seat rows and attempting to fix trim squeaks. 

Tesla's official stance on Cybertruck rattles and squeaks varies. While they acknowledge that some sounds are normal (like high-pitched whining, squeals from brakes, or pedestrian warning sounds), they have also addressed complaints about wind noise with a "tape solution." There have also been recalls about trim panels detaching, raising concerns about build quality. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown: 

• Normal Sounds: Tesla's owner manual lists various sounds, including high-pitched whining during acceleration, squealing from brakes, and pedestrian warning system sounds.
• Wind Noise: Some owners have reported loud wind noise, and Tesla has suggested using tape to cover panel gaps as a solution. This solution, while unconventional, has reportedly reduced wind noise for some owners.
• Trim Panel Recall: Tesla has recalled Cybertrucks due to a risk of stainless-steel trim panels detaching, potentially causing road hazards and crashes. Here is the report from Reuters. 
• Panel Gap Issues: Some owners have reported panel gap issues, and a service report indicated that the technician determined the wind noise was a "normal" issue.
• Concerns about Build Quality: The panel detachments and wind noise issues have raised questions about build quality and whether Tesla addresses these issues adequately.

Conclusion:

Tesla Cybertrucks' build quality has been a concern for many CT owners. However, as with any new model, there will be issues that have to be worked out. It's not unusual to see some quality control issues for the first few years of any automaker's new model production. 

It's Your Turn

If you're a Cybertruck owner, we want to hear from you. Have you encountered excessive rattles, squeaks, or other build quality issues? Your experiences are valuable and can provide crucial insights for other owners. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below to share your feedback.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “Ford, Rivian, and GMC’s Only Breakthrough Is Slapping a Battery Into a Few Trucks, While the Cybertruck is the Rookie MVP"

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 and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Carlos Espinoza