Tesla is recalling some Cybertrucks over concerns that their wheel studs could separate, potentially causing drivers to lose control.
The recall affects certain 2024 to 2026 Cybertrucks that were equipped with 18-inch steel wheels either during production, beginning in August 2025, or later during service, according to a report filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In total, the recall covers just 173 vehicles.
The issue centers on the trucks’ brake rotors. According to the report, rough road conditions and cornering could strain the stud holes in the wheel rotor and cause cracks to form. If those cracks spread with continued driving, a stud could eventually separate from the wheel hub. Tesla said early signs of the problem could include vibrations or noises audible from inside the truck.
“Wheel stud separation may affect vehicle controllability, increasing the risk of a collision,” the report said.
Tesla said production of the affected vehicles began on August 28, 2025. The company had already observed some rotor cracking during pre-production testing, though Tesla said all studs remained intact during that testing and no loss of vehicle function was observed.
The company was working on changes meant to address the problem. But according to the filing, those improvements were not incorporated when production began because of a “change management error.”
Still, the issue later appeared in the field. Tesla said that on November 5, 2025, it identified a service visit from the previous month in which a Cybertruck driver had reported “braking pulsations.” When the truck was inspected, cracks on the brake rotor faces were found.
Tesla said that the incident remains the only confirmed field case of rotor cracking; however, it has identified three warranty claims that could be connected to the issue. So far, Tesla is not aware of any related accidents or fatalities.
To fix the problem, Tesla said it will replace the front and rear brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts of affected vehicles at no charge. Owner notification letters are set to go out in June.
The recall also offers a glimpse at demand for Tesla’s short-lived, cheaper rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck. The NHTSA filing noted that production of the affected vehicles stopped in November because of “limited demand of Cybertrucks equipped with 18-inch steel wheels.”
Several outlets have connected that line to Tesla’s cheaper rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck, which launched in April 2025 and was discontinued later that year. That version started at around $70,000 and omitted several features found on more expensive Cybertrucks. It also came with either 18-inch or 20-inch wheels.
Considering the recall affects only 173 vehicles total, it appears Tesla sold very few Cybertrucks with the 18-inch steel wheel setup before pulling the plug.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Gizmodo.
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