Several Cybertruck owners have reported issues with their vehicles developing rust after exposure to rain, sparking discussions on the Cybertruck Owners forum. A user by the name “Raxar” shared their experience, highlighting that upon collecting their Cybertruck, they were cautioned about the potential for rust formation due to rain exposure. “The advisor specifically mentioned the Cybertrucks develop orange rust marks in the rain and that required the vehicle to be buffed out. I know I heard the story of never take out your Delorean in the rain but I just never read anything about rust and Cybertrucks,” Raxar noted.
Raxar, who had not yet washed their vehicle, observed rust just two days after exposure to rain. They also posted photos showing small orange rust spots on the stainless-steel body of the Cybertruck, following a wash with dish soap.
Mead Metals, a metal supplier, explains that stainless steel can rust under certain conditions, such as exposure to water, damaging chemicals, saline, grease, or extended periods of heat, as detailed in a blog post.
Another forum user, Vertigo3pc, shared their experience with rust on their Cybertruck during rain in Los Angeles. They decided to document the corrosion and report it to Tesla. “Throughout the LA rain, I noticed the corrosion was forming on the metal like other people have noted, so I decided to start documenting it and bringing it to Tesla’s attention,” they stated. After taking the vehicle to a Tesla service centre, it was documented by a worker who promised to get in touch for repairs the following month once the appropriate tools were available. Vertigo3pc also shared images of the corrosion, noting, “The spots are definitely everywhere in the metal.“
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, had previously touted the Cybertruck’s durability, claiming it to be “literally bulletproof” due to its “ulta-hard stainless steel body” during its reveal in 2019. In September, Musk mentioned the possibility of offering a tungsten carbide coating for the Cybertruck, a ceramic material known for its resistance to corrosion and its “scratch-proof” qualities against anything not as hard as diamond.
The owner’s manual for the Cybertruck, which has not been officially released by Tesla, reportedly does not mention a clear coat for the vehicle’s exterior stainless steel body. This detail was revealed in two videos posted online, offering a peek at the guide. The manual advises owners to “immediately remove corrosive substances (such as grease, oil, bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.)” to prevent exterior damage.
