Tesla will replace hubs and rotors on a small number of Cybertrucks after a regulator alert over potential wheel separation
The automaker Tesla has issued a recall covering a limited run of its stainless steel Cybertruck pickups after a safety review found that cracks can form in the holes for the wheel studs inside the brake rotor. The US regulator, the NHTSA, warned that those cracks could, with continued use and strain, allow a wheel stud to detach from the wheel hub, creating a risk of loss of control or collision.
The recall affects a small number of vehicles—an estimated 173 pickups—and Tesla has committed to carry out repairs at no cost to owners under warranty.
The NHTSA recall notice explains that high-severity road impacts and aggressive cornering may place extra strain on the stud hole in the rotor, initiating cracks that can propagate over time.
Although Tesla reports only a handful of warranty claims and says it has not observed a complete wheel separation in normal use, the agency cautions that wheel hub separation is a serious safety concern because an entire wheel could potentially come off while driving.
As required by US law, affected owners will be notified and the company will replace specific components to restore safety.
Technical cause and how the issue develops
Investigations point to cracking around the wheel stud holes in the brake rotor, rather than the wheel itself, as the initiating failure mode. In practice, repeated strain from potholes, heavy cornering loads or unusually rough surface conditions can concentrate stress in the rotor’s stud bore. If those cracks grow with continued use, a stud may separate from the rotor assembly and ultimately disengage from the wheel hub. The NHTSA described the condition as one that could lead to loss of vehicle control, and owners might notice early symptoms such as vibration or unusual brake-related noises before a full separation occurs.
Affected configurations and production window
The recall specifically targets rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck models equipped with the optional 18-inch steel wheels, spanning model years reported as part of the 2026–2026 production window. That particular 18-inch rear-wheel-drive variant was introduced as the more affordable option for the lineup and later removed from sale because of limited demand. Because sales of that configuration were low, the total number of vehicles requiring service is small—about 173 units—so the immediate national scale of the fix is limited compared with more widespread recalls.
Repair plan and owner steps
Tesla will remedy the fault by replacing the wheel hubs, lug nuts and both front and rear brake rotors on the affected trucks at no cost to owners, reflecting the company’s responsibility under warranty and the NHTSA directive. Owners should receive direct notification from the manufacturer once scheduling begins, and dealerships or service centers will perform the swaps. Tesla’s engineering review reportedly identified only a few warranty claims tied to the cracking pattern, and the company emphasizes that the free repair is a preventative measure designed to eliminate any risk of a separation event.
Market consequences and wider context
The recall arrives against a backdrop of lagging sales and broader scrutiny of the Cybertruck program. Early forecasts by Tesla leadership had projected high-volume sales, but actual deliveries have fallen short of those targets by a wide margin. Industry registration data highlighted that a notable share of Cybertruck purchases during recent quarters were by Musk-owned companies, a factor that helped prop up registration figures even as consumer uptake softened. In parallel, regulators and commentators have tracked a number of other recall actions, investigations and customer complaints affecting the Cybertruck since its public debut in 2026.
Beyond the technical and sales figures, the recall also intersects with public perceptions of the company. Tesla has faced criticism over production delays for other vehicle programs, and its standing in some corporate rankings has suffered amid controversies unrelated to product safety. For consumers, the immediate concern is limited: the repair is targeted, free, and intended to remove any possibility of a wheel separating on the road. The Independent has reached out to Tesla for comment on the recall and its broader implications.
