Thousands of Cybertrucks Sit Unsold as Tesla Rejects Trade-Ins

Tesla may have led the EV market last year with the globally best-selling Model Y, but 2025 is shaping up to be a rough ride. The most enormous red flag? Thousands of unsold Cybertrucks—and the company isn’t accepting them back as trade-ins.

🚚 What Happened to the Tesla Cybertruck Hype?

Remember the Cybertruck buzz? With over 1 million pre-orders at one point, it seemed like Tesla’s angular, stainless-steel pickup would reshape the electric truck segment.

But here’s where things stand today:

• Nearly 2,400 Cybertrucks are sitting unsold, worth almost $200 million.
• Tesla has stopped accepting Cybertrucks as trade-ins, leaving current owners stranded.
• Some frustrated buyers are now filing Lemon Law claims to return their vehicles.

It’s not precisely the futuristic success story we were promised.

📉 Sales Are Slumping—Fast

After peaking at just over 5,300 units sold in September 2024, Cybertruck sales have been heading south. A massive recall affecting nearly every Cybertruck delivered didn’t help either. So far, Tesla has delivered only about 46,000 units—a tiny fraction of early expectations.

And then there’s the public perception problem…

🧨 The Elon Musk Factor

Tesla’s CEO has never shied away from the spotlight. Lately, however, that spotlight has been casting long shadows.

• Musk’s alignment with former President Donald Trump and controversial involvement in founding DOGE—an organization under fire for gutting public services—have sparked nationwide boycotts.
• The backlash is real: Over 250 cities have seen Tesla Takedown protests, and there is no sign of the movement slowing down.
• Many long-time Tesla owners now say they’re ditching their vehicles to distance themselves from the brand’s politics.

🔁 Trade-Ins Denied, Support MIA

Tesla is reportedly turning away Cybertruck trade-ins in a move that stunned many. According to Electrek, some owners are even being told to pursue legal remedies instead of getting help through Tesla’s usual customer service channels.

And it gets worse.

Is your Cybertruck stuck on a long-term service appointment? Tough luck. You’re on your own.

💸 Used Tesla Cybertruck Prices Are Crashing

The secondhand EV market is reflecting the chaos:

• 55% drop in Cybertruck resale values year-over-year.
• 13% decline in Q1 2025 alone.
• Another 6% dip just last month.

Used car dealers aren’t eager to touch them either. Many offer shockingly low trade-in values, hoping the market stabilizes—or crashes further.

⚠️ The Road Ahead for Tesla

Tesla’s challenges aren’t just technical—they’re cultural. Between the fallout from Musk’s politics, poor Cybertruck performance, and a lack of support for existing owners, Tesla’s image has taken a serious hit.

What was once seen as a bold, futuristic bet is now a heavy burden for Tesla and its customers.

👀 Final Thoughts: Is the Cybertruck Still Worth It?

The Cybertruck’s future feels uncertain. And for current owners? It might feel more like a trap than a trailblazer.

Do your homework if you’re considering buying or trading in a Tesla—especially a Cybertruck. Check resale values, review Tesla’s current service policies, and monitor owner reports. The EV landscape is shifting fast and not constantly in the desired direction.

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