The Tesla Cybertruck, launched to great fanfare as the brand’s most radical vehicle to date, is now facing mounting scrutiny over its off-road and water fording capabilities — particularly when it comes to real-world reliability and post-warranty repair costs.
Despite Elon Musk’s repeated claims about the Cybertruck being “nearly amphibious,” recent owner reports and teardown inspections suggest otherwise. What seemed like an indestructible machine might actually be more vulnerable than advertised, especially when it meets water.
What’s the issue with Cybertruck water crossings?
Dozens of owners, mostly in the U.S. and Canada, have documented serious issues after driving their Cybertrucks through flooded areas or shallow rivers — often within Tesla’s own recommended depth thresholds.
Problems include:
- Water intrusion into the battery pack enclosure
- Corrosion on high-voltage connectors and underbody electronics
- Failure of “vault” tailgate seals, allowing water into the cargo bed and causing electrical shorts
- Inoperative steering and brake systems post-submersion
“We expected rugged, we got fragile,” said one Cybertruck owner in Utah on the Tesla Motors Club forum. “I crossed 30 cm of water — not even axle height — and the truck went into limp mode. Tesla quoted me over $16,000 for diagnostics and repairs.”
Why is this a problem for Tesla?
Tesla has heavily marketed the Cybertruck’s ability to handle outdoor adventures — including touting water fording capabilities and even floating functionality. However, the lack of formal IP ratings (Ingress Protection) for many of the vehicle’s key components contradicts this image.
Unlike traditional off-road vehicles like the Land Rover Defender or Toyota Hilux, the Cybertruck lacks:
- Mechanically sealed differentials or transfer cases
- Dedicated snorkel or air intake mitigation systems
- Off-road-specific drain and pressure equalisation valves
Repair costs: why so high?
Another key concern raised by owners and repair professionals is Tesla’s post-damage repair ecosystem, particularly when out of warranty:
- Battery replacements: Often quoted upwards of £18,000
- Subframe replacement: Not modular, full teardown required — estimated £12,000
- Electronic control modules: Limited part availability, high calibration cost
- Labour bottlenecks: Long waits at Tesla service centres due to backlog and limited trained technicians
“The Cybertruck may be bulletproof on paper, but water is proving to be its kryptonite,” says Sandy Munro, automotive teardown expert and CEO of Munro & Associates. “Its structure is overengineered, but its electronics are placed in harm’s way.”
What is Tesla saying?
So far, Tesla has not issued a formal recall or service bulletin. However, internal documents leaked via service technicians suggest Tesla is aware of:
- Recurrent water ingress claims on the Cybertruck “vault” bed
- Multiple reports of CAN bus failures after water exposure
- Issues with poor bonding of waterproofing gaskets in early builds
Tesla’s official water fording depth remains unspecified, but early marketing and Musk’s tweets referenced “wading through rivers” and “briefly floating,” which has since sparked a regulatory inquiry in California over misleading advertising.
Should UK buyers be concerned?
While the Cybertruck is not yet officially available in the UK, Tesla has confirmed plans to bring a right-hand-drive version in late 2026. British consumers should take note:
- UK climate (rain-heavy winters, frequent flooding) makes water ingress a major concern
- Insurance premiums are likely to reflect the elevated repair risk
- Tesla’s current after-sales support infrastructure in the UK is already stretched with Model Y and 3 volumes
Final Thoughts
The Tesla Cybertruck may be an icon of industrial design and ambition — but these early signs suggest it’s not yet ready for serious off-road or wet-climate use without significant caveats. Water ingress and repair costs are proving to be critical vulnerabilities in a vehicle marketed as indestructible.
From my perspective as a journalist and tester, it’s a classic case of promise versus execution. While the concept is impressive, Tesla will need to address these issues transparently if the Cybertruck is to earn its place among truly capable all-terrain EVs.
