Tesla Recalled All 173 Cybertruck RWD Models — And the Recall Revealed How Few Were Sold
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Tesla quietly discontinued the Cybertruck's rear-wheel-drive variant in November 2025 after citing limited demand. A recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April 2026 revealed exactly how limited: 173 vehicles. Every single one of them is now subject to a physical recall at Tesla service centers for a brake rotor defect that could allow a wheel to separate from the truck while driving.
Tesla began building Cybertruck RWD models with 18-inch steel wheels on August 28, 2025, and stopped production on November 5, 2025 — a run of fewer than 70 days. The entire production run of this variant, 173 units, is now subject to an inspection and parts replacement at no cost to owners. Tesla service centers were notified about the recall on April 24, 2026.
The 173-Unit Sales Story
For context: Ford sold more than 7,000 F-150 Lightnings in Q1 2026 alone. Tesla's own Model Y regularly moves tens of thousands of units per month. The Cybertruck RWD's 173-unit total — across its entire market existence — puts it among the lowest-selling variants in recent automotive history for a vehicle with a major manufacturer's backing.
"Tesla began building Cybertruck RWD models with 18-inch wheels on August 28, 2025, with production ending less than three months later, on November 5, with the company citing limited demand for the variant." — Not a Tesla App, April 2026
Tesla launched the Cybertruck RWD as a lower-cost entry point into the Cybertruck lineup. The standard Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast configurations had already been criticized for their pricing — the RWD was intended to address that by bringing the starting price down. It did not generate meaningful sales traction. The vehicle was discontinued without a formal announcement, with production simply stopping in early November.
The Wheel Safety Issue Explained
The technical problem involves the brake rotors on the 18-inch steel wheel setup — the only wheel configuration subject to the recall. Standard 20-inch wheel Cybertruck RWD units are not affected.
Tesla's recall filing describes the failure mode: on-road disturbances and cornering forces can cause cracking to develop around the stud holes in the brake rotors. If enough cracking accumulates, the wheel stud itself can separate from the hub entirely. On a vehicle with a curb weight of up to 7,000 pounds, that separation creates a genuine risk of wheel detachment while the truck is in motion.
| Event | Date | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-production testing flags issue | August 2024 | Cracking in brake rotors observed; studs intact |
| Production begins (18-inch wheels) | August 28, 2025 | Production line start |
| Production ends | November 5, 2025 | Discontinued citing limited demand |
| Service centers notified | April 24, 2026 | Recall instructions distributed |
| Customer notification (mailed) | On or after June 20, 2026 | Letters to 173 owners |
The timeline raises a question: Tesla identified cracking in pre-production testing in August 2024, more than a year before production began. The company proceeded with production using the original brake rotor design anyway. Three warranty claims related to the defect were logged before the recall was issued. No crashes or injuries have been reported.
What the Recall Covers
Tesla service centers will perform a free replacement of four components on every affected Cybertruck RWD:
- Front and rear brake rotors — replaced with redesigned units featuring stronger geometry around the stud holes
- Wheel hubs — replaced with updated units increasing contact area to reduce stress under operational loads
- Lug nuts — replaced with new hardware featuring a higher-friction coating
Tesla describes the replacement parts as having "more durable geometry increasing the contact area for reduced stress under operational loads." Owners can schedule service now — those in the affected population will not pay for parts or labor. Customer letters are expected to arrive around June 20, 2026, but owners do not need to wait for the letter to book a service appointment.
What This Reveals About Cybertruck's RWD Experiment
The recall filing is unusual for the sheer scale of the discrepancy between production intent and market reality. A manufacturing run that lasts fewer than 70 days and produces 173 total vehicles is, by most industrial measures, an aborted pilot program rather than a product launch. The fact that a recall covering all 173 units is a manageable logistics exercise — rather than a crisis affecting tens of thousands — is itself a consequence of how few vehicles entered the field.
For Cybertruck buyers who specifically wanted the lower-cost RWD configuration, Tesla has not announced any replacement offering. The Cybertruck lineup as currently configured consists of the AWD long range and the Cyberbeast performance variant, both of which carry significantly higher price tags than the discontinued RWD.
The Bottom Line for Cybertruck Owners
If you own one of the 173 affected Cybertruck RWD units, the fix is free and straightforward — book a Tesla Service appointment and the brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts will be replaced at no charge. If you're in the market for a Cybertruck and were hoping the RWD option might return at a lower price point, there is no indication from Tesla that a budget Cybertruck variant is in the pipeline.
Photo: Tesla Cybertruck at showroom / Pexels