Tesla has recalled all rear-wheel-drive Cybertrucks sold in the last two years due to a risk that the wheels could fall off. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned that fragile stud holes may cause the wheel stud to separate from the hub, increasing the chance of a crash or injury.
“On affected vehicles, higher severity road perturbations and cornering may strain the stud hole in the wheel rotor, causing cracks to form,” the NHTSA stated. “If cracking propagates with continued use and strain, the wheel stud could eventually separate from the wheel hub... Wheel hub separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.”
Elon Musk’s company will replace the hubs, lug nuts, and front and rear brake rotors on all affected vehicles at no cost to owners. Poor sales mean only 173 Cybertrucks are affected. Musk had predicted annual sales of 250,000 by 2025, but just over 20,000 were sold last year.
Registration data from S&P Global Mobility shows Musk’s SpaceX is the largest buyer, purchasing nearly one in five Cybertrucks sold in the US in the fourth quarter of 2025. Despite this, registrations continue to fall. Tesla lost its position as the world’s leading electric car seller to BYD earlier this year, following two consecutive years of declining sales.
The drop in sales comes amid production delays, including a seven-year wait for the Tesla Semi. Tesla’s brand reputation has also suffered due to Musk’s polarising political views, with the company ranking poorly for ethics and character in a recent survey.
