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Car Reviews12 MIN

The Tesla Cybertruck Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be—Here’s Why

The Cybertruck delivers stunning acceleration, useful truck capability, and genuinely innovative engineering. But poor visibility, distracting controls, demanding stainless-steel care, recall concerns, and mixed reliability evidence make it a weaker everyday pickup than the hype suggests.

By CarCody Team

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The Tesla Cybertruck is an impressive machine, but it is not automatically a better everyday pickup. It delivers startling acceleration, strong independent range-test results, useful towing and payload claims, a lockable bed, rear-wheel steering, and an unmistakable design. Those strengths are real.

The problem is that several of the Cybertruck’s most distinctive engineering and styling choices create daily compromises: exceptionally poor outward visibility, distracting controls, less predictable low-speed steering, unusually demanding exterior care, a mixed early recall record, and reliability evidence that is not yet reassuring. For buyers who want novelty and performance above all else, those compromises may be acceptable. For a normal daily driver, they are difficult to ignore.

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The Cybertruck’s biggest strengths are real—but they are not the whole ownership experience

It would be unfair to dismiss the Cybertruck as incapable or universally bad. Independent testing found the dual-motor truck quick, agile, stable, and comfortable enough for a large pickup. In Consumer Reports’ 70-mph highway range test, it traveled 334 miles, exceeding Tesla’s stated 325-mile estimate for that configuration.

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The truck also combines capabilities that are unusual in one vehicle. Tesla claims up to 2,500 pounds of payload capacity and an 11,000-pound towing capacity. Its lockable motorized tonneau cover turns the roughly six-foot bed into a covered bed vault, which is substantially more useful for expensive or weather-sensitive cargo than an open pickup bed.

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The 250-kW maximum DC charging acceptance, Tesla’s charging ecosystem, strong braking performance reported by Consumer Reports, and large battery make it a credible long-distance and work-oriented EV. Rear-wheel steering and steer-by-wire also make the truck more maneuverable than its considerable size suggests. Its unified structure gives it a different dynamic character from a traditional body-on-frame pickup and can avoid some of the twisting associated with that architecture.

Those are meaningful advantages. They simply do not answer whether the Cybertruck is easy to see out of, easy to operate, easy to maintain, or likely to be trouble-free over many years. That is where the case against it becomes much stronger.

1. The visibility problem is more than a styling complaint

The Cybertruck’s wedge-shaped body produces one of its most serious everyday weaknesses: poor sightlines in several directions. Consumer Reports described the forward and rearward visibility as exceptionally poor, citing the deep dashboard, steeply sloped windshield, thick windshield pillars, tiny rearview mirror, and distorted side glass.

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That matters every time the truck is used, not just during a formal road test. A driver needs good sightlines when pulling out of a parking space, judging a tight garage, changing lanes, merging, lining up a trailer, or maneuvering around pedestrians and cyclists. If the driver must rely more heavily on the center-screen camera—especially when the tonneau cover is closed—the vehicle adds screen-checking and interpretation to tasks that are normally handled with direct vision.

Rear-wheel steering helps reduce the truck’s turning circle, but it does not make the body easier to see around. In fact, the combination of a large footprint, unusual proportions, and limited sightlines can make low-speed positioning feel more complicated than the Cybertruck’s futuristic image suggests.

2. Steer-by-wire is clever, but conventional steering is easier to predict

Steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering are among the Cybertruck’s most interesting technical features. They help the truck feel agile and make it easier to maneuver in confined spaces. These systems are a genuine demonstration of what an electric vehicle can do differently from a conventional pickup.

But a clever system is not automatically a more intuitive system. Independent testing found low-speed steering behavior less predictable than conventional steering. That does not mean the truck cannot be driven safely; it means a driver may need to recalibrate expectations about how much steering input produces a particular response, especially while parking or making tight turns.

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Consumer Reports also found one-pedal deceleration overly aggressive in some low-speed situations. One-pedal driving can be convenient once a driver adapts to it, but abrupt or unexpectedly strong deceleration is not ideal when creeping toward a curb, maneuvering in a crowded parking lot, or trying to make a smooth stop.

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These are exactly the kinds of details that can disappear in a specification sheet. A truck can be exceptionally quick and technically advanced while still requiring more driver adaptation than a conventional pickup.

3. The minimalist cabin can make basic tasks distracting

The Cybertruck’s cabin follows Tesla’s minimalist control philosophy, but that design is not always an advantage in a vehicle that must be operated in changing weather and traffic. Critical functions such as lights and wipers are integrated into small steering-wheel controls or touchscreen-oriented interfaces. Consumer Reports criticized the controls as distracting while driving.

Physical controls are not automatically better for every function, but frequently used controls benefit from being identifiable by touch and usable without searching through a screen. Wipers and lights are particularly important because they are needed when visibility is already reduced. A design that asks the driver to look down or interpret a screen at those moments adds workload where a pickup should be straightforward.

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The Cybertruck also lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Tesla provides its own infotainment and navigation experience, and some owners may prefer that integration. However, buyers who rely on their phone’s familiar navigation, messaging, music, or voice-assistant interface should treat the lack of both smartphone platforms as a real limitation rather than a minor specification detail.

4. The stainless-steel exterior is distinctive, not maintenance-free

The stainless-steel body is one of the Cybertruck’s main selling points, but it is easy to misunderstand what that means in practice. Tesla’s owner’s manual states that the exterior panels have no clear coat. Scratches therefore occur in the stainless-steel panels themselves rather than in a conventional clear protective layer.

Tesla warns owners to remove corrosive substances promptly, avoid unsuitable cleaners, rinse off road salt, dry the vehicle carefully with clean microfiber cloths, and avoid automatic car washes. The company also says surface contamination can appear orange or brown even when it is not necessarily rust.

That supports a narrower and more accurate criticism than saying the Cybertruck will simply rust. The issue is not that every orange mark proves structural corrosion, nor that the stainless panels are worthless. The issue is that the finish demands more specific care than many buyers will expect from a vehicle marketed around a tough, low-maintenance exterior.

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For owners, pH-neutral car shampoo and microfiber towels are sensible basics for following Tesla’s cleaning guidance. Check the product label and chemical instructions before using anything on uncoated stainless steel; a generic automotive cleaner should not be assumed safe merely because it is sold for cars.

Product note: This is a general maintenance suggestion, not a claim that Tesla approves any third-party product. Compatibility, formula, and current manufacturer instructions should be verified before purchase or use.

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5. The truck’s safety picture is better than its reputation—but not uniform across production dates

The Cybertruck’s safety evidence is more favorable than some online discussion suggests. Tesla advertises a five-star overall safety rating and describes the truck as having a low center of gravity, impact-absorbing castings, and a low rollover probability. Those are manufacturer claims and should be distinguished from independent crash-test results.

The independent evidence is strong for later-built vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2025 Cybertruck a Top Safety Pick+ designation, but the award applies to vehicles built after April 2025. Those vehicles received Good ratings in the small-overlap front, updated moderate-overlap front, side, headlight, and pedestrian front-crash-prevention evaluations.

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There is an important qualification: the seat-belt reminder received a Marginal rating, and some of the IIHS results apply only to vehicles built after structural changes. Buyers should not assume that every Cybertruck, regardless of build date, has exactly the same safety performance as the later vehicles included in the award.

That distinction is especially important when shopping used inventory. The model name alone does not tell the whole safety story; the vehicle’s production date and VIN matter.

6. The recall record is a reason to check the VIN carefully

Recalls do not prove that every Cybertruck is unsafe, but the model’s recall history reinforces the need for due diligence. One 2024 recall involved accelerator-pedal pads that could dislodge and become trapped in interior trim, potentially causing unintended acceleration. The remedy involved securing or replacing the pedal assembly.

Another recall addressed a windshield-wiper motor-controller failure that could reduce visibility. A later front-parking-lamp recall applied to certain 2024–2026 Cybertrucks built from November 13, 2023, through October 11, 2025. Tesla remedied that issue with an over-the-air software update to version 2025.38.3 or later.

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The practical lesson is simple: do not generalize from a model-year headline. Before purchasing a new or used Cybertruck, verify open recalls by VIN and confirm that the remedy has actually been completed. For an older vehicle, also confirm which software updates and repair campaigns apply to that specific truck.

7. Reliability evidence is not yet comforting

Consumer Reports’ 2025 reliability assessment placed the Cybertruck below other vehicles from the same model year. Its survey covered potential trouble areas including electric motors, charging, brakes, and electrical accessories.

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Survey data should be interpreted correctly. It is an indicator of reported owner problems, not a controlled failure-rate study, teardown, or prediction that every truck will experience a major defect. It cannot establish precisely how many Cybertrucks will fail, how expensive repairs will be, or whether later production has resolved every early issue.

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8. Sales headlines need more careful interpretation

The Cybertruck received enormous attention at launch, but public demand and sales narratives have been considerably weaker than that attention might suggest. Third-party U.S. sales estimates reported by automotive media put Cybertruck volume at approximately 38,965 units in 2024 and 20,237 in 2025.

Those are estimates, not Tesla-reported model-level delivery figures. Tesla does not separately disclose Cybertruck deliveries in its quarterly releases; it groups the truck with other non-Model 3 and non-Model Y vehicles under Other Models.

For example, Tesla reported 8,822 Other Models produced and 12,364 delivered in the second quarter of 2026. That figure includes vehicles beyond the Cybertruck and cannot be treated as a Cybertruck sales total.

The responsible conclusion is not that the truck has definitively failed or that every owner is dissatisfied. It is that the public sales picture has not matched the scale of the launch hype, and Tesla’s own reporting makes precise Cybertruck-only demand analysis impossible.

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What the Cybertruck does better than a normal pickup

A fair criticism should also identify the buyers for whom the truck’s compromises may be worthwhile.

  • Performance: Its acceleration is extraordinary for a full-size pickup, and independent testing found it quick and agile.
  • Electric capability: The large battery, tested highway range, Tesla charging ecosystem, and 250-kW maximum DC charging acceptance make it a serious EV rather than a design exercise.
  • Truck utility: Tesla’s claims of up to 2,500 pounds of payload and 11,000 pounds of towing, along with a lockable six-foot bed vault, cover real hauling and cargo needs.
  • Maneuverability: Rear-wheel steering and steer-by-wire make the truck more maneuverable than its size and shape imply.
  • Safety potential: Later-built trucks earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition, subject to the post-April-2025 build-date qualification.
  • Distinctiveness: No other pickup looks quite like it. For some buyers, that design statement is a primary part of the value.

If those qualities are the reason you want a Cybertruck, the vehicle may be a rational choice. The mistake is assuming those qualities eliminate the practical drawbacks.

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Who should think twice before buying one?

The Cybertruck is a poor fit for buyers who prioritize:

  • clear, conventional sightlines for parking and lane changes;
  • physical, intuitive controls for wipers, lights, and other frequently used functions;
  • Apple CarPlay or Android Auto;
  • easy cleaning and low-maintenance paint or bodywork;
  • a long, established reliability record;
  • predictable low-speed steering and braking behavior with little adaptation;
  • maximum value per dollar rather than novelty and extreme performance.

It also deserves caution as a family vehicle for drivers who are not comfortable relying on cameras and screen-based controls, or as a work truck for owners who cannot tolerate downtime while a new system or recall is diagnosed.

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A sensible Cybertruck buying checklist

  1. Confirm the exact build date and VIN. This is essential for recall status and for determining whether the vehicle falls within the later-build IIHS safety scope.
  2. Test visibility in real conditions. Park it in a tight space, check blind spots, look over both shoulders, and assess whether the cameras compensate adequately for the limited direct view.
  3. Try the controls before committing. Operate the wipers, lights, turn signals, climate controls, navigation, and driver-assistance functions without assuming you will adapt instantly.
  4. Practice low-speed maneuvering. Pay attention to steering response, rear-wheel steering behavior, and one-pedal deceleration while parking and creeping through traffic.
  5. Inspect the stainless panels carefully. Look for scratches, stains, discoloration, and evidence of improper cleaning. Orange or brown surface marks are not automatically rust, but they should not be ignored.
  6. Match the truck to the work. Tesla’s payload and towing numbers are advertised maximums. Confirm that the specific configuration, equipment, trailer, cargo, and charging plan meet your actual requirements.
  7. Check the service and recall history. Do not rely on a seller’s statement that an issue was fixed; verify the VIN and completed remedy documentation.

The verdict: impressive does not mean best

The Tesla Cybertruck is not a technical failure. It is an ambitious electric pickup that combines sports-car acceleration with substantial truck capability, useful cargo security, strong range-test performance, and genuinely innovative steering hardware.

But the same design decisions that make it spectacular also make it harder to live with. The body compromises visibility, the cabin makes basic controls less intuitive, the steering and braking behavior may require adjustment, and the stainless finish demands care that its rugged image can obscure. Later-built vehicles have strong IIHS results, but those ratings do not automatically cover earlier trucks. Reliability evidence remains mixed, and the recall history makes VIN-level verification essential.

That leaves the Cybertruck in a narrower sweet spot than the hype suggests. It makes sense for a buyer who specifically wants its design, acceleration, electric towing, lockable bed, charging ecosystem, and novelty—and who is willing to accept the usability and ownership compromises. It is a much weaker recommendation for someone simply looking for the easiest, most predictable, most practical electric pickup to use every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tesla Cybertruck unsafe?

The available evidence does not support calling every Cybertruck unsafe. The 2025 model earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for vehicles built after April 2025, although the seat-belt reminder rating was Marginal and earlier builds should not automatically be given the same result. Buyers should check the vehicle’s build date, VIN, and recall status.

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Is the Cybertruck’s stainless-steel body rust-proof?

No. Tesla’s manual says the panels have no clear coat, warns that corrosive substances can damage the exterior, and notes that orange or brown contamination may appear. Those marks are not necessarily rust, but the body still requires prompt, specific cleaning and should not be treated as maintenance-free.

How good is the Cybertruck’s real-world range?

Consumer Reports measured 334 miles in a 70-mph highway test of a dual-motor Cybertruck, compared with Tesla’s 325-mile estimate for that configuration. Results vary with speed, weather, temperature, cargo, tires, and towing, so the test result should not be treated as a universal range guarantee.

What should I check before buying a used Cybertruck?

Verify the VIN for open recalls and completed remedies, confirm the build date, inspect the uncoated stainless panels, test visibility and camera dependence, operate the touchscreen and steering-wheel controls, and practice low-speed steering and one-pedal braking before purchase.

The Bottom Line

Bottom line: The Cybertruck is an impressive showcase of electric-truck technology, but its dramatic design comes with real daily costs. Buy it because you specifically value its performance, utility, charging ecosystem, and unmistakable character—not because the hype proves it is the best pickup for ordinary use.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Car Reviewselectric trucksEV buying advicePickup TrucksTeslaTesla Cybertruck

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One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

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