The Cybertruck, Tesla’s latest electric vehicle, has had a rocky start since its release in November. Not only has it faced numerous recalls, but it has also become the subject of ridicule on social media. Videos of the truck performing underwhelming tasks that other trucks can already do have been widely shared, adding to its reputation as a laughing stock.
However, amidst the criticism, there is one aspect where the Cybertruck seems to excel. It has gained attention for its ability to chop off and crush fingers, thanks to Tesla’s questionable design choices. Many Cybertruck owners have shared videos demonstrating the problem with the trunk’s detection system, which is meant to prevent accidents like these. Unfortunately, the system doesn’t always work, leading to fingers being chopped and smashed.
The issue with fingers being crushed or severed by the Cybertruck is not new. In fact, a Cybertruck owner recently shared a harrowing incident on the Cybertruck Owner’s Club website. Their father-in-law had to be rushed to the emergency room after his finger got caught in the door gap between the back and front doors. Thankfully, he only needed seven stitches and a splint.
What makes this issue unique is that it’s not simply a matter of getting a finger slammed in a car door, which can happen in any vehicle. Tesla designed the Cybertruck in a way that puts riders’ fingers at risk in that specific area. To open the doors, a rider must press a door release button on the pillar of the truck. In this particular incident, as the father-in-law went to press the button, the owner’s son closed the rear door, trapping his finger.
The owner explained that there is less than an inch of space between the button and the gap in the door. This close proximity increases the risk of fingers getting trapped if someone is not paying attention or if another passenger closes their door at the wrong time. The owner shared this incident to raise awareness among Cybertruck owners, urging them to be extra cautious when multiple people are entering and exiting the vehicle from the same side.
While Tesla does provide a warning in its manual about the potential risks of hands being too close to the doors when opening and closing them, the Cybertruck owner believes that the design could be improved. They suggest that the pillar button should be located further away from the panel gap to avoid such accidents in the future.
This incident adds to a growing list of design flaws in the Cybertruck. From a physical recall due to a stuck acceleration pedal to this new issue with the door release button, it’s evident that there are significant flaws in the vehicle’s design. Tesla will need to address these concerns and make necessary improvements to restore confidence in the Cybertruck.
