- Budget Cybertruck was quickly discontinued due to poor sales
- The NHTSA has detailed a manufacturing defect that could lead to issues
- Tesla is now recalling all 173 Cybertruck RWD models to fix it
Tesla made much fanfare of the Cybertruck RWD trim level, which made its debut around a year ago and was tipped to be a more affordable entry into the marque’s divisive electric pick-up.
Unfortunately, it sold in very limited numbers, perhaps due to the fact that Tesla stripped away most of the best parts of Cybertruck to keep the cost down.
Now, a recent recall highlights just how few the company sold, cementing the fact that many critics feel the model is one of the biggest flops in automotive history.
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Thanks to holes in the brake rotors that are prone to cracking due to “road perturbations”, the NHTSA has highlighted that the cracking could eventually lead to the steel 18-inch wheels becoming separated from the rotor itself.
It's not something you want to hear, particularly when the vehicle is advertised as a sturdy and capable off-roader. As a result, Tesla has recalled all 173 Cybertruck RWD models for a fix.
That fix involves new hubs, redesigned rotors, and a higher friction coating on the lug nuts to improve torque retention under heavy loads, according to Motor Trend.
Tesla will make the necessary changes free of charge, and owners have already been notified about the recall.
Analysis: recall reveals shocking low sales
Tesla is rarely one to divulge exact numbers of certain models, with the likes of Cybertruck and the now-defunct Model S and Model X grouped and relegated to the “Other Models” category when reporting sales figures in recent years. That sum also includes early, low-volume versions of the Semi truck.
It means the public never really got a handle on why Tesla revealed the Cybertruck RWD and then promptly dropped it.
But with just 173 sold, it very quickly becomes clear why that decision was made.
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