Hey everyone, DennisCW here! If you've been following my channel, you know I'm all about Tesla adventures, from the latest models to real-world experiences. Recently, we picked up our second Cybertruck, and the story behind it is wild—Tesla actually bought back our first one. Now that the dust has settled and the check is in hand, I'm ready to spill the details. If you're a Cybertruck owner dealing with issues, this might help you figure out if a buyback is possible for you too. Let's dive in!
We snagged our brand-new Tesla Cybertruck not long ago, but it wasn't just an impulse buy. Tesla repurchased our original 2024 Foundation Series Cybertruck after some significant issues. Don't get me wrong—the Cybertruck is hands down the best Tesla I've owned (and I've had them all, including the new Model Y). It's a beast of a vehicle, perfect for everything from daily drives to off-road fun. But like any Tesla, build quality can be hit or miss, and ours had its share of problems.
Our first Cybertruck was an early model, and while it was mostly solid, Teslas aren't perfect. We've all seen the delivery videos highlighting panel gaps or other quirks—even our new one isn't flawless (check out my recent video on that). But we know the drill: head to Tesla Service, get it sorted, and keep rolling.
The buyback wasn't for minor cosmetic stuff; it stemmed from a major mechanical failure—the motor and inverter issue. If you've watched my full video on this, you know the drill: suddenly, I couldn't go faster than 55 mph. It was frustrating, but shoutout to Tesla—they fixed it in just 7 days by replacing the whole setup.
From what I've gathered, this specific motor/inverter failure is the golden ticket for a potential buyback on the Cybertruck. If you've experienced the same, you might be eligible. Of course, it's not guaranteed, but it's worth checking out.
The process is straightforward but requires patience. Here's a step-by-step breakdown based on my experience:
Visit Your Local Tesla Service Center: Talk to a service manager. They'll review your vehicle's history and submit a buyback request on your behalf.
Wait for Tesla HQ Approval: This is where the waiting game begins. From friends' stories, it can take as little as 2 months, but ours dragged on for about 4 months from start to finish (including getting the check).
The Outcome: If approved, Tesla will calculate the buyback amount based on your purchase price, mileage, and other factors.
In our case, the issue hit at around 12,000 miles. We originally paid about $110,000 (including taxes), and Tesla gave us back $96,000. That put us in a great equity position, so I turned around and used it as a down payment on... you guessed it, another 2024 Foundation Series Cybertruck. It's essentially the same vehicle, just without the motor drama.
The new one isn't perfect either—there are some delivery issues like the tonneau cover acting up, and we're booked for service in a couple of weeks to get everything fixed. But overall, it's been solid, and I'm thrilled we stuck with it. At this point, I'm pretty locked into the Tesla ecosystem. They handled the buyback professionally, refunded a ton of money, and made it easy to jump back in.
If you're dealing with Cybertruck issues, especially the motor/inverter problem, don't hesitate to explore a buyback. It worked out great for us, and now we're cruising in style again. Have you gone through a Tesla buyback? Share your stories in the comments below—I'd love to hear them! If you enjoyed this post, check out my YouTube channel for more Tesla content, and hit that subscribe button.
Thanks for reading, and catch you in the next one!
-DennisCW
Tesla enthusiast and EV expert. Sharing tips on maximizing your Tesla ownership experience.