Tesla Recalls 173 RWD Cybertruck Units Over Brake Rotor Defect That Could Cause Wheels to Detach

Tesla’s NHTSA recall SB-26-33-003 covers 173 rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck Long-Range trucks from model years 2024-2026 equipped with 18-inch steel wheels. The filing says brake-rotor stud holes may crack, allowing the stud to separate from the hub and cause wheel loss. The units were produced between 28 August 2025 and November 2025 as the low-cost RWD variant, later discontinued. This recall follows earlier glue and grease issues, the 11th Cybertruck safety action.

Tesla’s 11th Cybertruck recall is because the wheels might fall off

The recall’s scope covers all 173 trucks from 2024-2026. Tesla links the failure to severe road perturbations and cornering that stress the stud holes, allowing cracks to propagate. Owners reported vibrations, noises, and “braking pulsations.” A November 5 2025 inspection confirmed rotor-face cracks, the only field case. Tesla logged three warranty claims, reports no collisions, injuries, or fatalities, and will replace front and rear rotors, hubs, and lug nuts at no charge.

Gizmodo

Tesla’s notice says brake-rotor stud holes may crack, allowing the stud to separate from the hub and potentially impair vehicle controllability. The company reports no accidents and will provide parts and labor free of charge. Owners may call 1-877-798-3752; notification letters are slated for June. Kelley Blue Book’s Sean Tucker called the episode a change-management error, noting that a minor design change can have long-term consequences. While some outlets cite grease and others glue, all agree the rotor-stud hole is the failure point.

The Verge

Sources differ on the underlying production error: Wired and Gizmodo attribute the defect to an incorrect grease applied to the lug nuts, while other outlets highlight a prior glue-panel problem. None of the reports provide the total production volume of RWD Cybertrucks beyond the 173 recalled units.

Wired Magazine

• “brake rotor stud holes may crack and allow the stud to separate from the wheel hub.” — Tesla, NHTSA recall notice

The Verge

• “Wheel stud separation may affect vehicle controllability, increasing the risk of a collision.” — Tesla, safety bulletin

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• “A car is such a complex machine that a very small change to design can have consequences years down the road,” — Sean Tucker, Kelley Blue Book

Wired Magazine

• “This is literally about some grease [Tesla] discovered on the lug nuts that tighten to hold the 18-inch wheel to the brake rotor.” — Sean Tucker, Kelley Blue Book

Wired Magazine

Tesla will mail recall notices in June 2026. Service appointments begin 20 June 2026, with redesigned rotors, hubs, and coated lug nuts to improve stress distribution and torque retention. The wheel-stud recall runs alongside an NHTSA campaign affecting over 200,000 Tesla vehicles for a rear-view camera software defect.

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