Tesla Cybertruck’s Kryptonite? Magnets Cause Rust and Corrosion Drama

So, get this—some Cybertruck owners found out the hard way that their shiny new trucks don't play nice with magnets. A user from the Cybertruck Owners Club forum, who goes by the username cybertooth, had a bit of a shock. They slapped some advertising magnets on their Cybertruck, and when they peeled them off a month later—boom—rust and corrosion had set up camp.

Now, you wouldn’t expect that, right? You see trucks all the time rocking magnetic signs, especially the small business folks who double their truck as a mobile billboard and daily driver. But here’s the Cybertruck, buckling under a few fridge magnets.

What's Causing the Rust?

Digging a bit deeper, it seems the trouble starts with the type of magnets used—those flexible kinds that are made with ferric oxide mixed into a binder. Just a quick science refresher, ferric oxide is basically iron oxide, or what you’d call rust when it invites itself onto your metal. But, throwing this onto your Cybertruck? Seems it doesn’t sit well.

Why This Is a Big Deal

You might think rust is just an old truck problem, but nope, it’s hitting the high-tech Cybertruck too. The worst part? It seems the damage is most intense right above where the magnet ends, probably where water gets trapped. Now, conventional wisdom tells you not to mix different metals and definitely keep them dry, but it seems this advice slipped past the Cybertruck’s design memo.

And if you’re thinking back to the old DMC DeLorean—that stainless steel star from over 40 years ago—it didn’t have this problem. Makes you wonder, right?

The Bigger Picture

Rust isn’t the Cybertruck’s only party trick. It’s had its fair share of drama—from a bunch of recalls soon after its debut, problems with automatic car washes (yep, it doesn’t do well there either), to not being the best at towing. And let’s not even start on its design, which has reportedly been a bit too sharp around the edges—literally.

So, while the Cybertruck might look like it's ready to take on a zombie apocalypse, it seems magnets are its kryptonite. Who would’ve thought? For anyone rocking a Cybertruck or thinking about it, maybe stick to Tesla-approved vinyl for your mobile advertising. It might not be as simple as slapping on a magnet, but hey, it beats dealing with rust.