Tesla Cybertruck may be blighted by rust, say reports

SAN JOSE: The Tesla Cybertruck was a long time coming but seems to take only a few days before it starts to rust, according to reports that the pick-up's shiny stainless-steel bodywork starts showing flecks of rust after only a few days in the rain.

In posts previously picked up by Business Insider, two separate Cybertruck owners have reported orange rust spots on their vehicles. Tesla has not commented officially.

It seems the rust spots are similar to the ones stainless steel table knives sometimes get in a dishwasher.

The Cybertruck recently went on sale four years later than first announced and boasts a distinctive stainless steel body.

The huge metal surface is exposed to the elements and experts say that under certain circumstances stainless steel can rust. Some types of stainless steel are more prone to corrosion than others, depending on the chromium content. The higher the chromium content, the less likely the metal will rust.

While the Cybertruck owner's manual is not yet public, an apparent video of the manual posted online says the vehicle's bodywork does not have a protective clear coat. It includes specific instructions about removing potentially hazardous materials from the stainless steel surface before corrosion can form.

The section does not note rain as a specific concern, but it mentions other common roadside elements like oil, tree resin, dead bugs and road salt as potential problems which should be dealt with swiftly.

"Given that the truck is meant for high-performance adventuring and has been tested on at least mild off-road surfaces, the durability concerns are worrying," industry magazine Road and Track said.

The issue was first brought up by users on cybertruckownersclub.com, a forum for fans and owners, in early February. A user called Raxar started a thread complaining that shortly after picking up their new Tesla, and after just two days of rain, the surface of their truck had started forming small flecks of rust.

The user’s manual warns drivers that the stainless steel body panels on the Cybertruck can develop corrosion under some circumstances.

To prevent damage, it recommends “immediately” removing substances like grease, oil, bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar, road salt, and more.

Moreover, it states that owners should "not wait until Cybertruck is due for a complete wash."