Photo via Fast Company
Tesla has issued a recall for 173 Cybertrucks equipped with 18-inch steel wheels after discovering that brake rotor stud holes can crack under stress from rough roads and hard cornering, potentially causing wheels to separate from the hub while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice, the defect poses a significant risk of loss of vehicle control and crashes. The company will replace affected brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts at no charge, with notification letters expected by early July 2026.
This latest recall represents the latest in a troubling series of quality control failures dating back to the Cybertruck's 2019 unveiling. Since launch, the vehicle has faced recalls for stuck accelerator pedals, failing windshield wipers, loose exterior trim flying off at highway speeds, malfunctioning cameras, and a frunk design flaw that can sever fingers. In August 2023, leaked internal emails from CEO Elon Musk revealed Tesla's own concerns about dimensional inconsistencies, noting that any variation in the vehicle's straight-edged design "shows up like a sore thumb."
The Cybertruck's commercial performance has mirrored its quality struggles. After initial projections of 250,000 to 500,000 units annually, Tesla delivered just 38,965 Cybertrucks in 2024—roughly 15% of the lower target—before sales collapsed by nearly 50% in 2025 to just 20,237 units, marking the sharpest decline of any electric vehicle in the U.S. market that year. Industry data reveals the numbers are further inflated by internal purchases: SpaceX alone bought 1,279 Cybertrucks in Q4 2025, representing 18% of all U.S. registrations that quarter.
For Atlanta-area businesses and consumers evaluating the EV market, Tesla's Cybertruck saga offers a cautionary lesson about managing manufacturing complexity and managing stakeholder expectations. As Georgia's automotive sector continues diversifying beyond traditional manufacturers, quality control and transparent communication will be critical differentiators for companies hoping to capture market share in the rapidly growing electric vehicle segment.
