A single pop rivet is not strong or reliable, particularly when installed by random service techs using a random manual press, and particularly not in a high-duty, abrasive-laden application like an accelerator pedal, over the expected lifespan of an $80k pickup truck.
Note also that the photos appearing on the web show DIFFERENT pop rivets being used, meaning that there is no standard service kit using parts and installation techniques that actually meet an engineering specification.
This looks like that exact rivet screwed in an obviously bad place, and it sure looks like the actual pedal is plastic, and thus suboptimal for drilling a hole and using a metal rivet.
The whole pedal assembly should be replaced.
www.reddit.com/r/RealTesla/...
You're really just trying to constrict linear motion of the cover, you're not trying to carry some heavy load, and you don't want the fastener working itself out (like a screw with dig-in threads would). Rivet's a fine, if inelegant solution.
As soon as it breaks loose from the adhesive it's abrading and work hardening the metal in both the rivet and the pedal. Think a decade of scuffing and shear impacts from the treads of dirty work boots. That is what the vehicle is ostensibly designed for.
Also: if there is a single hole, and not a smaller hole and a larger one that allows for float, the rivet is load bearing and not merely a retaining device.
It's pretty sloppy to have one fix point on something that is going to be stressed in a manner causing it to pivot. I can't help but feel like this is purposely lazy like because they want everyone to know how little they're bothered by this recall.
Sandy boots are not going to remove enough metal from the head of the rivet to compromise it and axial loads on a gas pedals are minimal. Get back in your lane.
Show me a competently designed aircraft where failure of one (1) manually-pressed pop rivet, subject to years of percussion and abrasion from a dirty work boot, can cause complete loss of throttle control.
In aviation that would likely be a graded nut and bolt, probably with thrust washers, retained by a wire tie. All parts with defined chain of custody. And probably inspected and documented by two or three different people.
