Elon Musk's Tesla Cybertruck is once again at the center of online debates, this time due to its unconventional headlight design.
On December 1, 2024, a Tesla owner shared a video on TikTok, reshared by @FearedBuck on X, voicing concern about the vehicle's headlight design after facing challenges while driving in winter conditions.
The user explained that snow had accumulated on the vehicle's front fascia, obstructing the headlights due to what they described as a "giant shelf-like structure" in front of the light bar.
The owner emphasized that this design flaw could pose significant safety issues during winter, as blocked headlights impede visibility, making driving safely in snow-covered environments challenging.
As a result, the post quickly gained attention, sparking discussions online with many users on X. Some suggested that when off-roading with a Cybertruck, it is expected to have optional overhead fog lights for better visibility in extreme conditions. One netizen commented:
"If you're actually off-roading with a CyberTruck, ur supposed to have the overhead fog lights. He didn't get em, so that's on him."
Furthermore, many users on X suggested that the headlights generate sufficient heat to melt any accumulated snow, alleviating the issue. Others argued that owners of such a high-end vehicle should ensure it is stored in a garage.
"Light produce heat, heat melt snow," a user on X commented.
"A hundred thousand dollar truck and you can't afford a garage?" another commented.
"delete this elon gonna shadowban u," a third commented.
However, some users on X responded humorously, joking that they might have to avoid driving their Tesla during winter. Others pointed out that snow accumulation on headlights is a common challenge faced by all vehicles, not just Teslas.
"I won't be able to drive my cyber truck in the winter now smh," a user commented.
"this sort of thing happens to cars in general lol," a netizen on X.
"If you're buying a cyber truck for functionality you deserve it," a user commented.
As of now, Elon Musk has not addressed the online reactions nor issued any statement regarding the potential challenges with the Cybertruck's headlights in winter conditions.
Tesla Cybertruck owners highlight challenges with snowy headlights
Over the weekend, a user on X, @copiumx, expressed concerns about the Cybertruck's headlights being obstructed by snow. However, this is not the first time a Tesla owner has reported a similar issue.
In March 2024, another user, @teslainventory, posted a photo of their Tesla during a winter night, showing snow completely covering the headlights. They noted that while driving, they were puzzled as to why the street remained dark despite turning on the lights, only to discover the snow blockage later.
"Wondering why I didn't have any lights when I turned onto my street without streetlights... I wonder if Tesla can heat the headlights?" the user questioned on X.
According to Car Scoops, the issue has been raised due to the Cybertruck's flat front fascia design, which makes it more likely to collect snow while driving.
However, that is not the only design issue, another concern is the position of the headlights. What looks like headlights under the hood are daytime running lights (DRLs), while the actual headlights that light up the road are positioned lower, just above the bumper.
It has been a challenging year for the Tesla Cybertruck, which has faced numerous issues since its release in November 2023. According to ExtremeTech, the vehicle has undergone six recalls within its first year.
The most recent recall was due to a faulty drive inverter, as detailed in a notice published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. The notice warned that this defect could result in a loss of drive power, significantly increasing the crash risk.
This recall impacted 2,431 units manufactured between the Cybertruck's initial release and July 30, 2024, as reported by ExtremeTech.
As of now, neither Elon Musk nor the Tesla team has issued any statement regarding the issue.