Tesla $TSLA is recalling 173 Cybertrucks from the 2024-2026 model years after identifying a defect that could cause wheels to detach from the vehicle.
According to the NHTSA, the defect originates in the brake rotor stud holes, where cracks can develop and allow wheel studs to pull free from their hubs. That separation can make the vehicle harder to control and, in some cases, cause a wheel to fall off entirely — raising the risk of a crash. Drivers may notice vibration or abnormal noise in the affected vehicles as an early warning sign.
The recall covers only Cybertrucks equipped with optional 18-inch steel wheels. Under the recall, Tesla is covering the full cost of wheel hub and rotor replacement for owners of affected vehicles.
The Cybertruck has now accumulated 11 recalls since it began deliveries in late 2023. Earlier recalls covered an accelerator pedal defect traced to the unapproved use of soap during installation, as well as a stainless-steel exterior trim panel that could detach and become a road hazard. Yahoo also notes that the NHTSA has logged 124 complaints and launched four separate investigations tied to the Cybertruck.
Tesla issued its eighth Cybertruck recall earlier this year over the cant rail trim panel, which affected almost all of the 46,096 units produced through late February. That recall came as the automaker faced growing brand pressure tied to CEO Elon Musk's political profile and his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
The latest recall is a small one by volume, but it comes as the Cybertruck has struggled commercially. The vehicle's commercial performance has been notably weak: a 2024 sales goal of roughly 250,000 units went badly unmet, and recent monthly figures have hovered around just 3,500 vehicles, according to Yahoo.