Another Tesla Cybertruck has been wrecked, and this time it’s not because it’s been attacked by vandals angry at the automaker’s CEO Elon Musk, or due to some alleged failure of the driver-assist systems. Instead, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen was the culprit after its driver reportedly suffered a medical emergency, plowing into no fewer than seven vehicles. The Cybertruck took the worst of it, with its bed ripped clean off in the chaos.

Footage and images from the scene show a dark-colored Cybertruck brandishing promotional graphics for Keane Landscaping (they say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right?) cut in half in the road outside the Dallas Cowboys HQ.

Related: Someone Egged A Cybertruck And Wiped Dog Poop On It

The front end of the truck appears untouched, but everything behind the rear seats is gone, including the bed, frame, and the suspension, motor, and wheels, which can all be seen lying several feet away. Of the eight vehicles involved in the smash, the Cybertruck definitely came off worst, but that doesn’t mean the other cars which, like the Tesla, were all parked and unoccupied, didn’t take some serious hits.

A Ford Mustang, F-series truck, Hyundai Santa Fe, Tesla sedan, and others received major panel damage, but spare a thought for the Mercedes G-wagon, which was given such a smack it was flipped onto its roof and can be seen being righted in CBS’s video.

Police say the accident in Frisco, Texas, was the result of the Mercedes G-Wagen driver suffering a medical episode while behind the wheel last Friday, driving at the intersection of Avenue of the Champions and Cowboys Way. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to news reports, and won’t be charged with any driving offenses.

Looking at the amount of damage caused, he must have really hoofed that right pedal, with disastrous, but thankfully not fatal consequences. We imagine that in the future, car safety systems might be able to spot and prevent accidents like this, but until that happens, you might want to stay clear of powerful trucks with super-fast acceleration and curb weights flirting with the 6,000-pound mark, especially if you’re on foot.

Image credit: Dianne Everett/CBS News

While the Tesla Cybertruck seems to be a regular target for ridicule, one example was recently able to tow out a Ford F-150 that got stuck in the snow somewhere in Canada. Although there’s a chance that the whole thing was staged, the clip does show that with a good set of rubber, the truck can put all of its electric power to good use.

Watch: Cybertruck Stuck On Ping Pong Mode In Flowing River

These videos, shared on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, were filmed by a group of friends who were out enjoying some snow-filled fun in both the Tesla and a Ford F-150. For reasons that are still unclear, the driver of the F-150 seemed to intentionally reverse into a snowbank just off the side of the road—promptly getting stuck, of course. Classic move.

Now, we could all roll our eyes and assume this whole thing was set up—perhaps the F-150 was driven into the snow just for the Tesla to save the day. But regardless of the setup, the video shows one thing: the Cybertruck can actually get things done when it’s not stuck itself.

Driving on snow can be difficult for any road-going vehicle, but this Cybertruck appears to have been aided by the fact that it rocks a set of Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, providing it with better traction than the standard rubber. We’re not sure if it’s a dual-motor AWD version or a tri-motor Cyberbeast, but it apparently had more than enough power to pull out the Ford with ease.

Watch: The Cybertruck Might Be Defeated By Sand, But It Can Rock Crawl

Despite the occasional viral mishap, the Cybertruck’s electric motors and advanced electronics can be helpful in certain off-roading situations. For example, the Tesla has no trouble storming through some of the most difficult and famous rock-crawling areas in the United States, including ‘Hell’s Revenge’ and the ‘Hot Tub’ in Moab, Utah.  

Earlier this week, Mark Rober sparked off a giant online battle by testing autonomous driving tech. In a long video, titled Can You Fool A Self Driving Car?, he set lidar against optical systems like the ones Tesla uses. The result? Instant backlash, praise, confusion—basically, the whole internet lost its mind. Now, someone else has re-run the same test, and, unsurprisingly, the results are both familiar and a little bit different.

In short, lidar tends to see more clearly, and more accurately, in certain situations compared to optical systems. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as after all, it’s a high-definition radar system that can sense objects in complete darkness.

Nevertheless, when Rober’s video highlighted Tesla’s failure to detect a wall that looked like a real road, fans of the brand came out with their pitchforks, so to speak. To their credit, Rober’s test didn’t use Full Self-Driving (Supervised) but rather Autopilot.

More: Tesla Autopilot Smashes Through Fake Road Wall While LiDar Lexus Stops Like A Pro

That’s where Kyle Paul, a Tesla owner himself, comes into play. He decided to rerun the same test with the same general parameters, but this time using FSD rather than Autopilot. He printed out his own wall that looked just like the real road it sat on and drove his Model Y up to it multiple times.

In every test, the Tesla failed to see the wall until he was literally inches away from it. As Rober suggested in an interview, it’s plausible that the ultrasonic parking sensors noticed the wall rather than the autonomous driving tech.

That said, Paul then switched things up by bringing in a Cybertruck to run the same test. Interestingly, it passed the test with flying colors by stopping on its own every time it began to approach the wall. What’s the difference? Other than the obvious fact that FSD is more advanced than Autopilot, the Cybertruck was on Tesla’s latest FSD hardware called HW4. The Model Y, a 2022 year model edition, wasn’t as it was running HW3.

The Missing Pieces

Notably, some in the comment section pointed out the tests that Paul didn’t do. For instance, he didn’t test FSD with a mannequin or in the rain—two factors that could offer a more realistic sense of how the system performs in everyday conditions.

Nevertheless, this should at least help calm the noise around Rober’s video. There’s clearly some truth to the criticisms, and those who continue to challenge Tesla’s approach to autonomous driving aren’t entirely off the mark.

Sceenshot Kyle Paul

In some ways, The Tesla Cybertruck is a marvel of engineering but in others, it’s also one with quite a few flaws Some owners are now reporting one we’ve not seen before: the front panel of their truck can just, well, fall off. And no, it’s not because some mischievous gremlins decided to make a run for it—it’s because the panels apparently aren’t sticky enough.

This isn’t the first time a panel has decided it wants to make a dramatic exit from the Cybertruck. In fact, the boomerang-shaped panel above the doors has a habit of detaching itself, so Tesla recalled every single Cybertruck to apply a more aggressive adhesive, along with a stud and a nut, to keep things in place. What’s surprising here is that the front panel is also popping off for some owners.

More: Tesla Recalls Every Single Cybertruck Over Stainless Steel Trims Falling Off

One owner took to TikTok to document the state of their truck. After leaving it for an unspecified amount of time, they returned to find the panel was only held on by the driver’s side. The rest of the panel was bowed out and completely detached from the truck, leaving the front bumper panel nearly fully exposed.

Buy a pack of glue, said the owner in a sarcastic way. Well, we think it was sarcastic. It wouldn’t be the strangest fix for a Tesla we’ve heard of, even from the automaker itself. In fact, it seems as though these panel issues are the reason so many owners are complaining about delivery delays. Tesla just released a full-scale recall of all Cybertrucks for panels that fall off.

@olgag.87

Left my comments, was not translating him, but he says similar things and even more funny things #sybertruck #elonmusk #fypシ #car

♬ original sound – OlgaG

After buyer one reported the situation on CybertruckOwners, several others popped in with similar stories. “My message said ‘factory hold that must be addressed with our service team before delivery’,” said one. “I was told “containment does not have a correction at this time (recall),” And that 1-2wks is general time frame,” said another.

Their complaints come from all over the place too. Some are in South Carolina, others are in California, and at least one says he has this issue in Canada.

Clearly, it’s a widespread problem even if it’s not the same exact issue for all trucks. Hopefully, Tesla can get this situation sorted out. It’s tough to call this truck ready for Mars… or even Earth, when the panels just fall off on their own. 

Yet another Cybertruck owner joins the Musked Club!

In the 1970s-’90s, GM factory workers loathed assembling their poorly designed cars — and despised their management — so they would leave off vital nuts and bolts and parts — is that what’s happening at Tesla now? 😝 https://t.co/IOZLSSxnl1 pic.twitter.com/BaiPmTc8OH

— Facts Chaser 🌎 🤦🏻‍♂️ (@Factschaser) May 9, 2024

Screenshot TikTok

Not too long ago, Mansory did what we thought was impossible: it made the Tesla Cybertruck look even worse with its hilarious ‘Elongation.’ While it’s quickly become the most talked-about modded Cybertruck, it’s far from the first and a Mexican company has already crafted its own take on the controversial electric truck.

This Tesla has been brought to life by Billion Group and sports a crazy widebody kit that makes it stand out. We’ll let you be the judge of whether it stands out for all the right reasons, or if it’s for all the wrong reasons.

Read: World’s First Widebody Tesla Cybertruck Just Got Six Inches Wilder

Billion dressed the stainless steel panels in a gloss black wrap which – to our surprise – actually suits the Cybertruck quite nicely. It has then bolted on a set of flared arches and while the company didn’t mention the dimensions, they certainly look wider than the widebody kit built by Waido.

Adding flared arches to the Cybertruck is a little more difficult than some other vehicles. The rear arch on the passenger side houses the charging port, so the tuner likely had to extend some of the cables to make it suit the bigger flares. Additionally, the two front arches house a pair of rear-facing cameras, and they, too, have been retained with this widebody kit.

Other flamboyant upgrades include a new front bumper that extends a little lower than the standard bumper. It’s also been fitted with a set of aftermarket 26-inch black wheels, a large fixed rear spoiler, and a new LED front light bar that includes the Mexican firm’s logo.

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the Cybertruck has carved out its niche. It might split opinions even harder than its sharp angles and stainless steel skin, but that hasn’t stopped buyers from snapping them up, making it the best-selling vehicle priced over $100,000 in the first half of 2024. Naturally, those sales have fueled a growing market for accessories, with independent companies eager to cash in.

More: Cybertruck Gets Magnetic Wraps That Let You Change Color In Minutes For $2K

One of the more interesting offerings comes from Space Camper, whose latest product, the Cap, turns the back of Tesla’s electric pickup into either a mobile living space or a practical, enclosed cargo area.

The Cap essentially reimagines the Cybertruck’s profile, flattening the roofline to give it the silhouette of an SUV or a panel van. It also adds five inches (13 cm) of height, resulting in an interior space that stands 40 inches (101 cm) tall from the bed floor. By default, it comes in gloss black, but for anyone who’s particular about color coordination, it can be wrapped in any shade you prefer.

Functional Features & Camper Potential

When paired with optional accessories like spanner bars, mole panels, and roof bars, the Cap takes the Cybertruck’s utility up a notch. It’s especially well-suited for camper conversions as it’s compatible with most roof tents and awnings, offering buyers a solid foundation to build their dream overlanding setup.

Inside, you can fit a mattress, wall-mounted storage, LED lights, and even a projector if you’re aiming for a cozy, all-in-one mobile home vibe. And yes, there’s even an optional shower kit if you want to round out the creature comforts.

More: Oh Boy, Mansory Tuned The Cybertruck And Named It The Elongation

Despite its added bulk, the Cap keeps things relatively lightweight at 170 lbs (77 kg) without extras. According to the company, the aerodynamic profile reduces the Cybertruck’s range by around 4-9%, though as always, actual mileage will vary depending on how heavy your right foot is. The roof supports up to 270 lbs (122 kg) while driving, and 650 lbs (295 kg) when parked.

Pricing & Delivery Details

Space Camper plans to begin deliveries of the Cap in June 2025. Pricing starts at $6,385, albeit without the optional extras highlighted in the video. Beyond a roof tent and awning of their choice, camping enthusiasts will need to budget an additional $180 for ventilation fans, $450 for the custom mattress, $450 for bed lights, $830 for wall storage, $900 for the projector kit, and $1,245 for the shower kit.

For buyers planning to use their Cybertruck more like a work van, functional add-ons like spanner bars and mole panels are $175 each, while a set of roof-mounted crossbars costs $270.

Space Camper isn’t stopping at the Cap. The company has also developed the Wedge, a more involved camper conversion first teased through a series of renderings back in 2022. Priced at $24,000, production has been delayed due to funding issues, though Space Camper claims the final design is ready and aims to kick off manufacturing this summer.

Other Alternatives

There are also a few other options for Cybertruck owners eyeing a camper conversion. Another American company, Cybertruck Co, currently offers a similar setup priced between $9,700 and $11,700. For those who prefer something simpler—or cheaper—Tesla itself sells a branded Cyber Tent accessory for $2,975. However, compared to the aftermarket choices, Tesla’s tent seems to fall short on ease of use.

Even with reports of cooling demand, Tesla still managed to move 38,965 Cybertrucks in 2024, ensuring there’s a solid customer base for third-party accessories. As more customization options hit the market, Cybertruck owners have increasing flexibility to tailor their electric trucks for work, adventure, or a bit of both.

Testimony from a witness to a fatal crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Piedmont, California, last November has raised concerns about both the vehicle’s safety features and the reckless behavior of those involved. According to US court documents, the driver and three passengers were under the influence at the time of the accident, while it was also revealed that the doors could not be opened.

Three of the four occupants of the Tesla were killed in the devastating crash. The family of Matthew Riordan owned the Cybertruck, and he told investigators that his friend, 19-year-old Soren Dixon, had begged him to take the truck out while at a party. Riordan ultimately relented, allowing Dixon to drive the Cybertruck, with friends Jack Nelson, Krysta Tsukahara, and Jordan Miller joining for the ride. Riordan followed behind in another car and witnessed the crash.

Read: Feds Looking Into Fatal Tesla Cybertruck Crash That Killed Three Teens

An autopsy later revealed that Dixon was twice the legal alcohol limit at the time of the crash and also had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. In interviews with investigators, Riordan stated that he frantically tried to save the others but was only able to pull Miller from the wreckage.

“I could hear Krysta yelling and the car saying ‘crash detected,” Riordan said. “I went back to the broken window and yelled for them to try to get out at this window … Krysta tried to come up, sticking her head (out) from the back, I grabbed her arm to try and pull her towards me, but she retreated because of the fire.” He also tried the doors, but they wouldn’t budge.

“Nothing budged at all,” he said. “I then tried the button on the windshield of Jordan’s door, then Krysta’s door,” but he couldn’t open the doors. Riordan was only able to pull Miller from the burning Tesla after desperately smashing a window with a tree branch.

It’s unclear why Riordan wasn’t able to open the doors of the Cybertruck, but it’s quite possible they had automatically locked when Dixon started driving and couldn’t be opened from the outside. An official report from the California Highway Patrol has blamed the crash on a combination of alcohol intoxication, drug impairment, and unsafe speeds.

However, it’s worth noting that Tesla models, including the Model Y and Model S, do have a feature that automatically unlocks the doors when the airbags have been fired. Many other cars also have this feature, but we haven’t been able to verify if the Cybertruck also has this function.

A key issue with the Cybertruck is that it doesn’t have any exterior door handles. Instead, you need to press a button on the pillar to unlatch the door, and finding those buttons in the midst of a blazing inferno could be very difficult.

Last year, YouTuber WhistlinDiesel made headlines after snapping the frame of his Tesla Cybertruck during one of his infamous durability tests. Fast forward to today, and another YouTuber, also a Cybertruck owner, decided to take it upon himself to see if Tesla’s electric truck is really as sturdy as it claims.

Unlike traditional pickup trucks that rely on solid steel frames, the Cybertruck is built with cast aluminum. Tesla received plenty of praise for pioneering the use of gigacasting technology in the automotive industry, but the choice to use a cast aluminum frame is starting to raise some concerns with each new test.

More: Eagle Cap Camper Snaps Ram 3500 Dually In Half, Mopar Refuses $17,000 Repair Bill

According to Tesla, the Cybertruck has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg). To test how strong the frame really is, YouTuber JerryRigEverything attached a crane scale to measure the amount of force the hitch was subjected to. The force came from a massive excavator pushing down on the hitch.

Towing Capacity vs Tongue Weight

Something we need to stress (pun intended) here is that this test measures tongue weight, not tow capacity. Tongue weight refers to the downward force exerted by the trailer on the hitch, while towing tests evaluate how much weight the vehicle can pull in a horizontal direction. These are distinct stress tests, so comparing the two directly can be misleading. As many manufacturers point out, for ball-mounted hitches, the tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight.

Back to the test, after sustained pressure, the hitch started to crack and, at just over 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg), it snapped completely. As if that weren’t bad enough, aluminum lacks a fatigue limit, meaning it becomes progressively weaker each time it’s stressed. Steel, on the other hand, doesn’t have this issue. This means that, at least in theory, Cybertrucks constantly towing heavy loads could potentially see their frames weaken over time—hardly ideal for a vehicle marketed as tough and durable.

Watch: Whistlin Diesel Snaps Tesla Cybertruck Frame In Viral “Durability” Test

Of course, as mentioned before, the weight in this test was applied downward, while most of the force from towing would be applied outward. This means the Cybertruck shouldn’t have any major issues if it keeps its trailer load under capacity.

JerryRigEverything suggested that hitting a large pothole at, say, 80 mph (129 km/h) with an 11,000 lb load could potentially generate enough force to damage the Cybertruck’s frame. However, this is purely theoretical, and we have to assume Tesla accounted for such scenarios when developing the vehicle and determining its capacities

Nevertheless, for comparison, the team also tested an old Ram 2500, which survived a 10,500 lbs (4,763 kg) tongue weight load without so much as a hiccup. So yeah, Tesla might have a bit of work to do when it comes to making the Cybertruck a true workhorse.

The Tesla Cybertruck that was detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1 briefly appeared for auction yesterday before being quickly removed. It’s perhaps the last car we would have expected to see listed for sale, and it’s unclear why the auction was pulled—other than, well, the apparent fact that selling the Cybertruck would have been rather morbid.

At approximately 8:39 a.m. on January 1, U.S. Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Alan Livelsberger pulled up outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas. He had rented the truck on Turo and filled it with fireworks, camping fuel, and gas tanks. While sitting in the driver’s seat, Livelsberger shot himself, moments before the explosion. Seven people were injured, but fortunately, no innocent bystanders were killed.

Read: Musk Says Media Coverage Of Cybertruck Explosion “Sabotages” Tesla’s Image, Threatens Lawsuits

Local emergency responders and Elon Musk quickly praised the strength of the Cybertruck, noting that the stainless steel body helped contain the explosion. Shortly after the incident, Musk claimed that Tesla would “buff out the scratches and get it back on the road,” adding that the powertrain remained fully operational despite the explosion.

As reported by Jalopnik, auction photos shared on IAA show that the Cybertruck remains in the same grim condition it was in after investigators tore it apart in the wake of the accident. Initially, much of the roof, the doors, and the pillars remained in place, but they were later removed. A look inside the cabin reveals that most of it has been badly charred, and there’s simply no way of repairing this thing without replacing virtually every single part.

There’s no word on whether Tesla itself was involved in the auction being canceled, but we’d be surprised if the brand decided to rebuild the vehicle. After all, Tesla already has enough on its plate with slowing sales and a tanking stock price. However, history has shown that Musk thrives on publicity—whether good or bad—and rebuilding the vehicle used in a targeted attack could be one way to capture the public’s imagination.

IAA

You’d think the most affordable car in an automaker’s lineup would also be the cheapest to insure. Makes sense, right? Well, not for Tesla. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—the Cybertruck, that giant stainless steel wedge, is actually the least expensive Tesla to insure, with significantly lower rates than the entry-level Model 3 sedan.

According to a recent study compiled by Insurify, full-coverage insurance for the Cybertruck costs an average of $3,392 per year. That’s 45% more than the national average ($2,336) and 17% higher than the typical EV ($2,892), but still cheaper than insuring any other model in Tesla’s current lineup.

More: Tariffs Could Make Your Car Insurance Even More Expensive

In fact, the Model 3 has the highest insurance rates in the Tesla lineup with an average of $4,347. That means insuring Tesla’s most affordable model costs 28% more than the Cybertruck, which starts at $79,990, even though the Model 3 is 53% cheaper to buy in its base form at $42,990 before federal and state credits, delivery fees, and taxes.

As for the rest of the pack, full-coverage insurance averages $3,510 for the Model S, $3,658 for the Model X, and $3,832 for the Model Y.

Insurance Costs Across Tesla and EV Models

Why Is the Cybertruck Cheaper to Insure?

So, what’s behind this insurance pricing paradox? A big factor is credit scores. Insurify found that 66% of Cybertruck drivers have an excellent credit score, compared to just 13% of Model 3 drivers and 35% of EV drivers overall. The Model 3’s lower credit score average is likely tied to its mass-market appeal—Tesla sells a lot more of them, and its buyers tend to be younger and/or have riskier financial profiles.

In particular, half of Cybertruck owners (50%) are in their 40s, while only 14% of Model 3 owners fall into that age group. Since older drivers generally pose less of an insurance risk, this helps keep Cybertruck rates in check.

More: EV Crash Claims Jump 38%, And Repairs Are Pricier Than Ever

Even with its relatively low insurance costs, the Cybertruck still isn’t the cheapest electric truck to insure. That title goes to the Ford F-150 Lightning, which averages $3,193 per year or 6% less than the Cybertruck. The Lightning’s lower insurance costs are likely due to its more affordable starting price and cheaper repair costs, despite the fact that only 18% of Lightning owners have excellent credit (compared to the Cybertruck’s 66%).

Will Cybertruck Insurance Rates Stay Low?

That depends. If Tesla lowers the Cybertruck’s entry price, it could attract a younger, riskier demographic, which would likely push insurance rates higher. At the same time, rising EV repair costs could add even more pressure, making premiums climb further. Since EVs are already more expensive to fix than gas-powered cars, any increase in repair expenses could have an outsized impact on insurance pricing.

More: Insurance Companies Are Writing Off Cars Faster Than Ever After Accidents

Broadly speaking, EVs cost more to insure because post-accident repair costs are 30% higher on average, and they’re more likely to be deemed total losses. Batteries, advanced sensors, and proprietary parts make even minor collisions costly. That trend isn’t unique to Tesla, but given its vehicles’ repair complexities, it’s a key factor in the company’s insurance rates.

For now, though, the Cybertruck remains an insurance outlier, one of the rare cases where a high-priced vehicle is cheaper to insure than its budget-friendly sibling. Whether that trend holds depends on how Tesla’s sales, pricing, and repair costs evolve in the years ahead.

Tesla

Now is an interesting time to own a Tesla. For over a decade, the brand has produced some of the most popular EVs on the market and cultivated a nearly cult-like following, thanks in no small part to its CEO, Elon Musk. However, as Musk has waded deeper into politics, the brand’s once-pristine image seems to be fading, and reports of vandalism against Tesla models appear to be on the rise.

Read: Boston Man Arrested For Slapping Stickers On Teslas, Musk Responds

No Tesla model has sparked more debate than the Cybertruck. Its polarizing design, with sharp angles and a body that looks like it was pulled from a rejected 90s sci-fi film, has turned heads for all the wrong reasons. Some fans love it; others, well, would rather see it run off the road. It seems someone in Brooklyn falls into the latter camp, having recently taken their frustrations out on a Cybertruck parked by the side of the road.

Photos shared on Reddit show the damage: the Cybertruck was egged, and to top it off, what looks like dog feces was smeared across its rear. No word yet on whether the vandal has a personal vendetta against the truck, Musk, or just sharp, angular vehicles in general. Either way, they made their point, while wasting some precious eggs in the process. Given egg prices right now, that’s almost a privilege.

While there’s still no word on the identity of the vandal, there’s a chance the owner could track them down if they’re motivated enough. Tesla’s Sentry Mode, which uses external cameras to record suspicious activity, might just have caught the action. If the culprit wasn’t wearing a ski mask or some other form of facial protection, they could be staring down a very incriminating video of their vandalism.

You won’t be surprised to learn that this isn’t the first time a Tesla has been targeted. Back in January, a Cybertruck in Los Angeles became the unfortunate canvas for a group of vandals. After being wrecked in a crash, it was abandoned in a parking lot, only to become an impromptu art project for local miscreants. It wasn’t long before the truck was covered in graffiti, transforming it into an unwanted street attraction.

Seen in Brooklyn a cybercuck that got egged and smeared with dog shit
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