I’m coming to you with a video I really didn’t want to make. We’re in the Cybertruck, or what’s currently left of it, because our VIN 41,000 dual-motor truck just threw a major red flag.
I was supercharging this morning after dropping my son at school. I unplugged, sat in the driver’s seat, pressed the brake pedal, and boom—Front Motor Disabled.
If you’ve been following the channel, you know our history. We’ve already been through two Model X buybacks. I’m starting to be called the “Buyback King” by my friends, and honestly, that’s not a title I’m proud of. I’m just a regular owner who wants to drive an electric vehicle, but these manufacturers really need to step up their quality control.
The Ghost in the Machine: Disappearing Alerts
Here is the weirdest part: by the time I grabbed my camera and started recording, the alert was gone from the main display. However, it’s still logged in the “Bell Icon” history.
When I reached out to Tesla through the app, they did a remote diagnostic and had the nerve to ask if I wanted to add a tire rotation to my service ticket. Seriously? My front motor just disabled itself, and you’re worried about my tires?
The Confidence Crisis
As much as I love this truck’s utility and steer-by-wire system, my confidence is teetering.
- Towing Season: I have a heavy schedule of towing for my kids’ band competitions coming up. Getting stranded with a 5,500 lb trailer is not on my to-do list.
- Road Tripping: This is our primary long-distance vehicle. I can’t have “motor disabled” alerts popping up when we’re 300 miles from home in the middle of the desert.
I’m pushing for Tesla to swap out the front inverter or the motor entirely. VIN 41,000 is a non-Foundation series, and I was hopeful that these later builds had the early inverter issues ironed out. Clearly, something is still triggering these faults.
Back to the Service Center: Upland Tesla
I’m currently on my way to the Upland Service Center. Even though my official appointment isn’t for another two weeks, I’m dropping it off today. I am not comfortable driving this truck knowing a mechanical or electrical fault was triggered.
The Plan:
- Force a thorough diagnostic: The service team confirmed that even though the alert isn’t on the screen, their computers still show it as “lit up.”
- Address the Tonneau Cover: While I was at the service center, the tonneau cover actually opened by itself! I wasn’t even in the truck. This is a recurring issue I’ve noticed during the heavy rain we’ve been having in SoCal.
- Queue for Recalls: My VIN isn’t currently in the queue for the C-rail recall, but I’ve asked them to check the tonneau slats while it’s in.
The Loaner Life: Model X Again
Luckily, Upland had a loaner available—a blue Model X.
- The Irony: Our free supercharging just expired on the Cybertruck, and now we’re back to free supercharging on a loaner Model X because our truck is broken.
- Factory Reset: I was happy to see Tesla is finally factory-resetting these loaners. Usually, I get a car filled with the previous driver’s history and settings. This one was clean and ready to link to my profile.
Final Thoughts: Tesla Quality vs. Brand Loyalty
I don’t make these videos to be a “Tesla hater” or a “fanboy.” I’m sharing my genuine ownership experience. The Model 3 and Model Y have been remarkably reliable for us and our friends. Why can’t Tesla figure out the quality on their $80,000+ flagships? We’ve struck out twice on the Model X, and now the Cybertruck is showing early signs of the same pattern.
This truck has to work. The Model Y is great, but it’s not big enough for our family needs. If the Cybertruck fails us, I’m not sure where we go next. Maybe it’s time for Abby to give the Rivian another look?
