A video published on the Internet, according to which a loose cover on Tesla's electric pickup Cybertruck can jam the accelerator pedal, has alarmed the US traffic regulator. A spokeswoman for the NHTSA agency said they were in contact with the manufacturer to get more information.

In the clip published on the video platform Tiktok on Sunday, a driver reports that his "Cybertruck" suddenly accelerated on its own last week because the depressed pedal no longer released. He was able to brake, but as soon as he released the brake pedal, the car started to move quickly, which is why he ultimately brought it to a stop and switched off the engine.

He then noticed that the decorative cover on the accelerator pedal that had been glued on had partially come loose and moved forward, the driver said in the video, which has been viewed several million times. The cover got caught in the back wall of the footwell and the pedal was permanently jammed in the depressed state.

Musk initially did not comment

With its powerful batteries, the Cybertruck weighs around three tons and has a body made of thick stainless steel. The vehicle can also reach a speed of 100 kilometers per hour in just a few seconds. The video caused correspondingly alarmed reactions, as uncontrolled acceleration on the road would mean considerable danger.

There was initially no reaction to the video from Tesla, where company boss Elon Musk had dissolved the press department years ago. The tech billionaire himself did not comment on this on his online platform X. However, some Cybertruck buyers reported in online forums that their delivery dates had been postponed at short notice.

In the past, other car manufacturers had already issued recalls due to problems with the accelerator pedal. Around 15 years ago, Toyota had to recall several million vehicles because the floor mat could shift and the accelerator pedal could get stuck.