Tesla’s Cheap Cybertruck Bows Out With a 173-Unit Recall

The discontinued bargain version of Tesla’s stainless steel pickup is back in the news, and not for reasons Elon Musk would want. A new federal safety action covers every rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck delivered with 18-inch steel wheels, and the tiny number involved tells you almost everything about how the model sold.

• Tesla’s 11th Cybertruck recall covers all 173 RWD units with 18-inch steel wheels
• Brake rotors can crack at the stud holes, potentially letting a wheel separate
• Production of the budget model stopped after roughly five months of poor sales

What’s Actually Wrong With the Wheels

The fault sits where you really don’t want a fault, the spot where the wheel bolts to the hub. According to the NHTSA notice, higher severity road impacts and cornering may strain the stud hole in the wheel rotor, causing cracks to form. If those cracks spread with continued use, the wheel stud could eventually separate from the hub. In plain English, hit enough potholes or push hard through corners and a wheel could come off while you’re driving.

Tesla first noticed something was off back in August of last year, when pre-production testing revealed cracking in the brake rotors, though the studs remained intact at that point. Field reports and more investigation later showed the problem was worse than first believed. Durability improvements were supposed to be added at the start of production, but they weren’t, due to what Tesla calls a change management error.

To make matters more awkward, some Tesla service centers had also been installing the potentially faulty rotors, so trucks that already had brake work done may also be affected. The fix is free. Tesla will replace the front and rear brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts on its Cybertruck at no charge.

The Number That Says It All

Here’s the kicker. Only 173 RWD Cybertrucks with 18-inch wheels have been sold. That isn’t 173 in a region or a quarter. That’s the total production count for that specific configuration. For context, that’s a smaller production run than many limited-edition supercars.

Tesla released the barebones, rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck in April of last year. Starting at $71,985, around $10,000 less than the AWD version at the time, the stripped-out pickup was quickly discontinued in September. A line buried in the recall report says production of the affected vehicles stopped on November 25, 2025, due to limited demand for Cybertrucks equipped with 18-inch steel wheels.

Why Buyers Said No Thanks

The RWD pitch never landed. The discount looked modest, and Tesla pulled out features buyers actually wanted. Despite the $10,000 discount, the smaller-wheeled RWD Cybertruck was 2.1 seconds slower to 60 mph than the dual-motor AWD version, officially towed just 7,500 pounds versus 11,000 for AWD, used cloth instead of leather, and dropped adaptive air suspension, the power tonneau cover, the underfloor storage compartment, the rear light bar, the passenger screen, eight speakers, active noise cancelation, several power outlets, and the HEPA air filter. For a truck that already had a polarizing shape and price tag, removing the toys was a tough sell.

The pricing math didn’t help either. Compared to mainstream trucks where common replacement Nissan parts or Ford components can be sourced in minutes from any local parts counter, Tesla’s proprietary supply chain means even routine maintenance often runs through the manufacturer. That makes ownership a bigger commitment than a $10,000 saving could justify.

A Pattern That Won’t Quit

This is recall number 11 for the Cybertruck. In October 2025, more than 6,000 Cybertrucks were recalled because a light bar could detach. In March of the same year, around 46,000 were recalled because a trim panel could come loose while driving. In April 2024, roughly 3,878 were recalled over accelerator pedals getting stuck. The wheel recall also lands the same week Tesla recalled more than 200,000 vehicles over delayed rearview camera images that regulators say could raise the risk of a crash.

Looking at the bigger picture, the truck isn’t selling the way Musk wanted. Tesla sold just 20,237 Cybertrucks last year, well short of Musk’s reported goal of 250,000 units annually, as the truck’s high price and repeated issues appeared to cool early excitement. That’s a 48% drop from the 38,965 sold the previous year, according to Kelley Blue Book’s electric vehicle sales report.

What Owners Should Do Right Now

If you bought one of the 173, Tesla will reach out directly. Owners have already been notified, and Tesla says it isn’t aware of any collisions, fatalities, or injuries that are or may be related to this issue. You can also plug your VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup to confirm status. For a vehicle pitched as apocalypse-ready, having the wheels checked before your next road trip seems like a fair ask.