Tesla is recalling just 173 rear-wheel drive Cybertrucks equipped with 18-inch steel wheels due to a brake rotor defect that could cause wheels to detach. The recall inadvertently reveals how poorly the RWD variant sold - Tesla discontinued it roughly a year after launch despite pricing it $10,000 below the base all-wheel drive model.

The defect involves cracking around wheel stud holes in the brake rotors, caused by road perturbations and cornering stress on the hub assembly. The issue wasn't limited to trucks built at Gigafactory Texas - Tesla service centers stocked the same rotors for repairs, sometimes installing them to address similar cracking reported by customers experiencing unusual brake pulsation. The company says it has received only three warranty claims that may be related to this failure, with no crashes, injuries, or fatalities.

Tesla has developed redesigned rotors and wheel hubs to increase contact area and reduce stress loads, along with new lug nuts featuring higher-friction coating for improved torque retention. Recall notices went out April 24, though replacement parts won't be available until June 20. The repair will be performed free of charge.