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Under cover of night, a group of TikTokers known as the Cybertruck Hunters roam the streets, hunting Tesla Cybertrucks in the wild. When they spot one, they pull up behind it and project anti-Elon Musk and anti-Cybertruck messages directly onto its tailgate. The unsuspecting driver? Completely oblivious.

The Cybertruck Hunters account popped up on TikTok just a month ago, but it’s already gone viral with a string of slick videos showing their antics. In some clips, they’re seen chasing down Cybertrucks in a black Lamborghini Aventador, the driver masked as Jack Skellington (the protagonist in The Nightmare Before Christmas).

Turns out, the Cybertruck’s stainless-steel tailgate is an ideal projection screen. The messages appear razor-sharp—almost like the truck is broadcasting them itself. “Me just now realizing you are projecting this onto a stranger’s truck from behind,” one viewer commented.

The messages? Anything but subtle.

“Musk, this truck really is like you . . . tons of hype,” one reads.

“Don’t think of this as a truck . . . think of it as a small penis enlarger,” says another.

Naturally, the videos have sparked plenty of reactions, with one video racking up some five million views. “The word I’m looking for is HERO,” one commenter wrote. “I love people who have extra time. The pettiness is top tier,” added another.

Watch on TikTok

Unfortunately for Cybertruck owners, the public trolling isn’t their only problem. Tesla is recalling 46,096 Cybertrucks in the U.S.—essentially every unit built before February—due to an exterior panel that can detach during driving.

While Tesla hasn’t released official Cybertruck delivery figures, analysts say the recall likely affects most of the trucks currently on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the stainless-steel trim poses a potential road hazard. Tesla will replace the faulty panel at no cost, but it can’t protect owners from the glowing taunts of the Cybertruck Hunters.

Motorists have traded in a record number of Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab electric vehicles this month, Edmunds data showed, amid a wave of protests against CEO Elon Musk's work as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Tesla cars from model year 2017 or newer accounted for 1.4% of all the vehicles traded in until March 15, up from 0.4% in March last year, according to data provided to Reuters by Edmunds. Analysts at the national car shopping website said that share could grow through the second half of the month.

In February, the Trump administration's first full month, Teslas made up 1.2% of vehicles traded in.

March's trade-ins so far would be the highest monthly share Edmunds has on record of Tesla trade-ins toward new or used purchases at dealerships if the trend continues. This excludes trade-ins toward new purchases of Teslas and EVs from other direct-to-consumer brands.

Musk is leading the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency and activists across the U.S. have staged so-called Tesla Takedown demonstrations over his role in cuts to the federal workforce and cancellation of contracts that fund global humanitarian programs.

Social media has been rife with posts from Tesla owners in the U.S. and some European countries showing them giving up their vehicles in displays of anger toward Musk.

The March data on Tesla trade-ins has not been previously reported.

"Brand loyalty is becoming a bigger question mark as factors such as Elon Musk's increasing public involvement in government, Tesla depreciation concerns, and its increased saturation in major metro areas leave some longtime owners feeling disconnected from the brand," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' head of insights.

Spokespersons for Tesla and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tesla has said it expects the vehicle business to return to growth this year, after a small drop in 2024.

Prices of used Teslas have dropped in line with other EVs from Ford, Kia, and Hyundai, according to Edmunds.

Used Tesla prices will likely decline further as Tesla trade-ins that are undergoing reconditioning reach the market, Edmunds analysts said.

Anger against the brand has resulted in Tesla vehicles being set on fire and damage to the company's showrooms and charging stations.

Trump has said he would label such attacks as domestic terrorism.

Tesla stock, which skyrocketed since Trump's election in November on hopes it would be easier for the company to roll out robotaxis under the new administration, has nearly halved from its January peak.

Fred McKinney, a corporate consultant, traded in his 2018 Tesla Model 3 last month to show his disapproval of Musk.

"I thought about putting a bumper sticker on my car saying, 'I hate Musk.' But selling the car feels so much better," he said in a LinkedIn post. "If you are considering a new EV, under no circumstances consider buying a Tesla."

Data from Edmunds also showed shoppers' consideration of new Teslas dropped to 1.8% last month - the lowest level since October 2022 - after peaking at 3.3% in November.

Tesla's sales likely fell 10% in February, hurt by declines in its Cybertruck pickup, Model 3 sedan, and Model Y SUV, separate estimates from market research firm Cox Automotive showed on Thursday.

"These shifts in Tesla consumer sentiment could create an opportunity for legacy automakers and EV startups to gain ground," Caldwell said.

"As Tesla brand loyalty and interest waiver, those offering competitive pricing, new technology, or simply less controversy could capture defecting Tesla owners and first-time EV buyers."

U.S. safety regulators on Thursday recalled virtually all Cybertrucks on the road, the eighth recall of the Tesla-made vehicles since deliveries to customers began just over a year ago.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall, which covers more than 46,000 Cybertrucks, warned that an exterior panel that runs along the left and right side of the windshield can detach while driving, creating a dangerous road hazard for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

The stainless steel strip, called a cant rail assembly, between the windshield and the roof on both sides, is bound to the truck’s assembly with a structural adhesive, the NHTSA report said. The remedy uses an adhesive that’s not been found to be vulnerable to “environmental embrittlement,” the NHTSA said and includes additional reinforcements.

Tesla will replace the panel free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Mon ay 19, 2025.

The recall of 46,096 Cybertrucks covers all 2024 and 2025 model years, manufactured from November 13, 2023, to February 27, 2025. The NHTSA order says that Tesla became aware of the problem early this year.

Videos posted on social media showing people ripping the panels off of Cybertrucks with their hands have gone viral in recent days.

The Cybertruck, which Tesla began delivering to buyers in late 2023, has been recalled eight times in the past 15 months for safety problems, including once in November because a fault in an electric inverter can cause the drive wheels to lose power. Last April, the futuristic-looking trucks were recalled to fix acceleration pedals that can get stuck in the interior trim. Other recalls were related to windshield wipers and the display screen.

It’s the latest setback for the Elon Musk-owned electric automaker, which has come under attack since President Donald Trump took office and empowered Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency that’s slashing government spending.

While no injuries have been reported, Tesla showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations and privately owned cars have been targeted.

Prosecutors in Colorado charged a woman last month in connection with attacks on Tesla dealerships, including Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles and the words “Nazi cars” spray-painted on a building.

Federal agents in South Carolina last week arrested a man they say set fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wrote in an affidavit that authorities found writings critical of the government and DOGE in his bedroom and wallet.

Even before the attacks ramped up in recent weeks, Tesla has been struggling, facing increased competition from rival electric vehicles, particularly out of China.

Though largely unaffected by Thursday’s recall announcement, Tesla shares have plummeted 42% in 2025, reflecting newfound pessimism as sales crater around the globe.

With regard to Thursday’s recall, Cybertruck owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to nhtsa.gov.