Cybertruck Chaos

A Bumpy Ride

In a rollercoaster of car ownership nightmares, Edmunds had quite the experience with their Tesla Cybertruck. They picked up a Foundation Series model in July 2024 for $101,985, only to watch it end as a battered loss by December. After being struck by a compact sedan, their 6,600-pound electric beast got knocked onto a curb, resulting in damage so extensive that it was considered a total loss.

Initial Glitches

Even before the accident, the Cybertruck saga was fraught with trouble. From critical steering failures to going into limp mode, the issues piled up. The air conditioning didn’t stand up to hot days, and there were persistent transmission quirks. It wasn’t just a few teething troubles for this $100k truck—the variety of issues kept Edmunds from fully testing its capabilities.

Repair Woes

The chaos didn’t stop there. After the hit-and-run debacle, finding a willing repair shop was a saga on its own. In Los Angeles, only two Tesla-certified shops were available to work on the vehicle’s unique steel body. One shop in Huntington Beach quoted a month wait just for an estimate, plus several months to begin repairs. Edmunds opted not to wait. Fortunately, a second shop in Ontario promised quicker turnaround, but even they delayed the schedule because of overbooking.

Repair Costs

• Stripes and moldings: $619
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• Motors and components: $4,191
• Motor mounts: $77
• Wheels and parts: $1,758
• Steering components: $2,040
• Rear suspension: $9,149
• Cab and components: $3,800
• Bed: $8,763
• Tailgate: $2,495
• Rear bumper: $2,418
• Rear body and lamps: $1,669
• Miscellaneous parts: $357
• Paint and materials: $610
• Labor: $16,584
• Total estimated cost: $57,880

It was financially illogical to proceed with such steep repairs, especially since the sale price would fall well short of the non-damaged market value of $86,160.

The End Result

Eventually, the Cybertruck was offloaded to Copart for a mere $8,000. Despite the ordeal, the truck was acknowledged for its performance and comfortable ride. Its unique, albeit polarizing design did garner plenty of attention, drawing eyes wherever it went. However, this fiasco marked the most significant loss in Edmunds history, surpassing even their previous experience with the Fisker Ocean.

Image Credit: Edmunds

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In this casual explanation, the ups and downs of Edmunds’ Tesla Cybertruck experience are laid out. From the precursor woes of the truck’s operational issues to the aftermath of a parking disaster, it’s a compelling reality check on owning such a high-profile vehicle. The narrative not only delves into the monetary sinkhole that is vehicle repair but also gives a nod to the truck’s redeeming features despite its tumultuous tenure.