Wrong Grease Sparks New Tesla Cybertruck Recall

Tesla is once again issuing a recall for its Cybertruck, this time affecting 173 Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Long Range models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that an incorrect grease was used on the lug nuts, which secure the wheels to the brake rotors. This improper lubrication may cause the wheel stud to separate from the wheel hub under certain driving conditions, potentially leading to a wheel detaching from the vehicle.

This defect, identified as the 11th recall for the Cybertruck, stems from a materials issue where the wrong grease was applied to components during production. Tesla has stated it will provide a free replacement of the wheel hubs, rotors, and lug nuts for all affected vehicles. Experts note that even minor changes in vehicle design can have significant consequences, and this incident highlights a production communication breakdown.

The recall impacts a specific subset of Cybertrucks produced with 18-inch wheels on certain dates, utilizing a particular shipment of lug nuts and grease. While Cybertruck sales have reportedly been lower than anticipated, Tesla attributes this particular recall to a small production change that was not effectively communicated to the factory floor in time.