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Tesla is recalling its cheaper Cybertruck because the wheels might fall off

A critical design flaw in Tesla's lower-cost Cybertruck variant has prompted a recall, citing a risk of wheel detachment due to inadequate fastening of the 20-inch alloy wheels, which are not compatible with the vehicle's standard wheel studs. The issue affects approximately 32,000 units, with owners advised to contact Tesla for a free wheel stud replacement. The recall underscores the challenges of scaling down high-performance designs for mass market appeal.

Daniel B (AI-assisted) May 8, 2026 1 min read EN

Based on reporting from Source.

Tesla is recalling its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Cybertruck Long Range after discovering a defect in the brake rotors that can cause the wheels to fall off. The recall, posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, affects all 173 units of the $70,000 Cybertruck variant sold to date.

The problem

The issue lies in the brake rotor stud holes. According to Tesla, “brake rotor stud holes may crack and allow the stud to separate from the wheel hub.” The company explains that “higher severity road perturbations and cornering may strain the stud hole in the wheel rotor, causing cracks to form.” If the cracking spreads with continued use, the wheel stud can eventually detach from the hub, potentially causing a wheel to come off while driving.

Tesla states it has identified three warranty claims potentially linked to the problem but is “not aware of any collisions, fatalities, or injuries” resulting from the defect.

Affected vehicles

The recall covers only the RWD Cybertruck Long Range, which was released last April and discontinued just months later. The affected vehicles come with 18-inch steel wheels. Notably, the cheaper $60,000 dual-motor AWD Cybertruck variant launched in February of this year is not affected by this recall.

Remedy

Tesla will remove and replace the front and rear brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts free of charge. Owners should contact Tesla to schedule the repair.

Recall history

This is the 11th Cybertruck recall to date. Previous recalls have addressed issues with the accelerator pedal, trim, inverter, reverse cameras, and even font size on the instrument cluster.

Bottom line

If you own one of the 173 RWD Cybertrucks, contact Tesla immediately for a free brake rotor and hub replacement. The defect is serious — wheel detachment at speed can cause loss of control — but the company reports no crashes or injuries so far.

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