Cybertruck cuts out off-road: Tesla still gimped by missing locking differential, aggressive traction control

Shortly after the Tesla Cybertruck started shipping to customers, owners and reviewers alike started excitedly testing Tesla's much-hyped electric pickup truck in off-road scenarios. Unfortunately, the Cybertruck frequently disappointed, performing about as well as a normal SUV or pickup truck with AWD, rather than true 4×4 capabilities.

The problem? Aside from underwhelming suspension articulation and travel, the Cybertruck lacks a locking differential — an essential piece of off-roading equipment, without which power cannot be directed to the wheels with traction. Now, nearly four months after the Cybertruck started shipping, it seems the lack of a locking differential, or a software-based equivalent — still plagues Cybertruck owners, according to a recent post on the Cybertruck Owners Club.

The post in question details a Cybertruck owner's experience with the electric pickup truck, specifically his first week with the vehicle, during which time he took it to Utah's infamous Sand Hollow State Park, which is home to some particularly sandy off-road trails. The Cybertruck owner had this to say about his experience driving his Cybertruck up a sandy hill at Sand Hollow (a video of which can also be seen embedded below):

"It was making it ok, but at the same point twice in a row, it just stopped putting power to any of the wheels. I could imagine it detected all 4 wheels spinning in sand and cuts power to prevent getting dug in, but it felt like it was going to make it before it gave up." –SGAstros on Cybertruck Owners Club

It seems as though the combination of a missing locking differential and aggressive traction control is still a concern on current Tesla Cybertruck units, making them a tough sell for off-road enthusiasts. This isn't the first time we've seen this behaviour, either. When the Cybertruck was pitted against a GMC Silverado in a tug-of-war match, the motors cut out almost as soon as the Silverado got on the power in what appears to be a safety failsafe.

It was previously revealed that Tesla would update the Cybertruck's software to activate a locking differential system, but this has yet to come to fruition. Reportedly, the Cybertruck's locking differentials feature will be a combination of E-Lockers and mechanical locking differentials, which should help drivers put down power in the Cybertruck much more reliably in off-road situations.

Tesla Cybertruck Lead Engineer, Wes Morrill said earlier this month on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the company is still testing the differential locking feature, and that it has plans to deliver the update to customers soon.

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