Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©
In April 2024, Tesla faced a significant setback when a viral video revealed that the accelerator pedal pad on
its highly anticipated Cybertruck could slip off and get stuck in the interior trim, causing the vehicle to
accelerate uncontrollably. In response, the company temporarily halted deliveries and issued a recall for
every Cybertruck on the road.
The solution to this potentially dangerous issue turned out to be surprisingly simple: a single rivet installed to
secure the pedal pad in place. At a “Cyber Takeover” event in Long Beach, California, Tesla demonstrated the
quick fix, which takes just 35 seconds to complete once the required drilling jig is in place.
The process, as outlined in Tesla’s Service Bulletin, involves measuring the distance between the bottom of
the aluminum accelerator pedal pad and the bottom of the pedal backing before beginning the work. If the
bottom of the pad is 5mm or further from the bottom of the pedal, the entire pedal assembly must be
replaced.
Once the measurement is confirmed to be within the acceptable range, a hole is drilled using the jig, and a
rivet is installed to secure the pedal pad, preventing it from coming off due to an “unapproved change”
during manufacturing that made it slipperier than intended.
After the installation, Tesla’s workers inspect the work with a mirror and clean up any debris left in the
customer’s USD 100,000 (EUR 90,000) plus truck, ensuring that the vehicle is returned in pristine condition.
At Tsamouris, we recognize the importance of fasteners in preventing potentially life-threatening accidents.