The biggest is that it is a massive surface of bare metal fully exposed to the elements, creating a unique rusting risk. At least two Cybertruck owners have already reported rusting issues on an enthusiast forum.

The Tesla Cybertruck is supposedly the perfect car for surviving the apocalypse. Not only can you equip it with a $3,000 tent, but it’s also bulletproof. Take that, roving gang of post-apocalyptic car thieves. OK, so technically, the glass itself isn’t actually bulletproof, so that could end up being a problem if anyone ever shoots at you, but at least the body panels will keep you safe, right? Well, as one YouTuber found out recently, that really depends on what kind of guns the bad guys have with them.

YouTuber JerryRigEverything recently decided to test exactly how bulletproof the Tesla Cybertruck is. Or, rather, how bullet-resistant it is. We’re going to go ahead and spoil the video for you and say right up front that the Cybertruck can’t stop a .50-caliber bullet. We know that’s shocking and hard to come to terms with, but yes, a .50-caliber round will cut through the Cybertruck’s bodywork like butter. If the raiders have a couple of M107A1s, just go ahead and hand over your Cybertruck. It’s not worth resisting.

While it’s definitely satisfying to watch a .50-cal punch a hole through the Cybertruck’s sheet metal, what’s much more interesting is seeing how well it actually stands up to smaller rounds. The Ridge wallet promo is a little clumsy, but the Cybertruck legitimately doesn’t have a problem stopping 9mm ammunition. So as long as they don’t shoot the windshield or any of the windows, good luck stopping a Cybertruck with a Glock 19.

What if you’re being attacked by a farmer with a varmint rifle, though? If that’s the case, you may be in more trouble than you expected. The .17 HMR round they used went right through the metal, which definitely puts the clutter of groundhogs you’re hauling at risk. Next up, though, they tested the Cybertruck against a .223. And what do you know, as it turns out, it also can’t stop a .223. Which is kind of a big deal when you consider how common the AR-15 is in the U.S.

In any post-apocalyptic scenario, it’s pretty much a guarantee that the raiders in the wastelands will have AR-15s. If they decide to shoot up your Cybertruck, we’re sorry, but you’re toast. Not that you were ever safe without bulletproof glass in the first place.

Although Tesla proudly advertises the Cybertruck as a rugged pickup truck that can withstand the most difficult conditions, it appears that it has at least one soft spot. Besides the delicate windshield, which can crack under pressure or small rock chips, there's another weak spot: the gigawiper. Many Cybertruck owners reported that the windshield wiper motors failed prematurely, sometimes during the delivery trip if it was on a rainy day.

The problem is that Tesla insisted on fitting the Cybertruck with only one wiper instead of at least two like most vehicles. The wiper arm needs to be unusually long to cover the huge windshield. It also needs to be strong, which is why it's so big, making many liken it to a katana. However, long and strong also means heavy, thus requiring a more powerful motor. Aerodynamics is also an issue, putting additional stress on the wiper when working at speed.

Tesla engineers probably didn't anticipate that all these forces would put an unbearable burden on the wiper assembly. Many Cybertruck owners reported that the wipers failed prematurely, sometimes during the first rainy days. For some, it appeared as if the wiper was dead on arrival because they found it broken the first time they tried it in the rain. And because you wouldn't need the wipers on a sunny day, it's easy to imagine that the wiper broke at the worst possible moment. This created a safety issue that Tesla needs to address as soon as possible.

There are many complaints about the Cybertruck's gigawiper failures, which started to surface a month ago as some regions experienced heavy rains. Even replaced motors failed, which prompted Tesla to stop replacing the failed wiper motors until they produced an improved component. At the time, I anticipated a recall might be in order, considering that this was a safety issue.

Although Tesla hasn't communicated officially, it has temporarily paused Cybertruck deliveries until a new wiper motor is installed. People scheduled to take deliveries of a Cybertruck were announced that their appointments were canceled at the last minute, sometimes when they arrived at the Delivery Center. The reason offered was to solve a safety issue with the Cybertruck's gigawiper, specifically the motor that powers it.

According to some estimates, the delivery pause is expected to last a week or more. However, one Cybertruck owner wrote in the Cybertruck Owners Club forum that this problem did not impact their VIN (169xx) and they could pick up the truck. It's unclear whether this means that Tesla already fits the upgraded motors from the factory or was among the first to have a replaced motor.

Tesla is recalling the Cybertruck because its big, gangly windshield wiper might not work. Certain trucks could have a faulty wiper motor that prevents the blade from doing its job, which is a problem if it rains.The recall involves 11,688 electric pickups, or every Cybertruck manufactured between November 13, 2023, and June 6, 2024. Tesla believes that just two percent of the affected vehicles have this defect. The recall comes after the automaker paused customer deliveries earlier this month.

The company first learned of the potential issue in early February when Tesla Service identified wiper motor failures on certain Cybertrucks. The automaker recovered 20 motors that Tesla engineers analyzed over the next few months before finding the

Tesla discovered that a functional test at a Tier 2 supplier applied excessive current to the component, damaging the motor’s circuit board.Tesla says it’s unaware of any collisions, injuries, or deaths related to the problem. The automaker will replace the wiper motor for free.

Many trucks that are in for motor replacement will also undergo an inspection for their exterior bed trim. The sail appliqué along the bedside might not have been installed correctly, which could become loose or separate from the vehicle. This second recall affects 11,383 Cybertrucks built from November 13, 2023, until May 26, 2024, and Tesla will replace or rework the parts to meet the correct specifications.