All posts

Tesla Cybertruck Has 7 Recalls. What Used Buyers Need to Check.

May 11, 20264 min readCarScout
teslacybertruckrecallselectric vehiclesused carsbuying guide2026

The Tesla Cybertruck has 7 NHTSA recalls filed against it. It launched in November 2023.

That's roughly one recall every 10 weeks, covering everything from a drive inverter that can cut power to the wheels entirely, to brake rotor stud holes that can crack and allow the wheel to detach. Most were patched via over-the-air software updates. Two required physical service. Here's the full picture before you commit to one.

All 7 Recalls at a Glance

NHTSA Campaign Issue Vehicles Affected Fix Type
26V255 Wheel stud cracks; wheel could detach 173 (2024–2026 with 18" steel wheels) Physical: hub, rotor, lug nut replacement
24V887 Drive inverter fault; total loss of drive power 2024 Physical: inverter replacement
24V694 Windshield wiper motor controller failure 2024 Physical: controller replacement
24V349 TPMS warning light doesn't persist between drives 2024–2026 OTA software update
24V138 Rearview camera image delayed when shifting to reverse 2024 OTA software update
25V619 Front parking lights exceed max brightness, per NHTSA 2024–2026 OTA software update
24V585 Trunk bed trim sail applique can loosen and detach 2024 Physical: trim replacement

Which Recalls Actually Matter

Five of the seven were resolved through OTA updates. Tesla can push these remotely while the vehicle is connected to Wi-Fi. If the prior owner kept the truck online and didn't disable updates, those are almost certainly already resolved. You can confirm with the VIN on NHTSA.gov. Open campaigns show up immediately.

The two that warrant closer attention: Campaign 24V887 (drive inverter) and Campaign 26V255 (wheel stud).

The drive inverter recall (24V887) covered 2024 Cybertrucks whose inverter could fail and cut drive power mid-trip. That's not an OTA fix. Tesla service centers replaced inverters at no charge, and owner notification letters went out January 4, 2025. Any 2024 Cybertruck on the used market now has had well over a year of opportunity to get this done. Ask for service documentation.

The wheel stud issue (26V255) is narrower. Only 173 vehicles are affected: those built with 18-inch steel wheels, either at the factory starting August 2025, or added during service. Rough roads and cornering can strain the stud holes in the brake rotor, cause cracks, and eventually let a stud separate from the hub. Tesla identified the first confirmed case in October 2025. Service centers were notified April 20, 2026. Owner letters don't go out until June 20, so some affected vehicles may not be repaired yet.

If you're looking at a Cybertruck without 18-inch steel wheels, Campaign 26V255 doesn't apply. If it's a late-2025 or 2026 build, check the window sticker or spec sheet.

What Depreciation Looks Like

Seven recalls in 18 months hasn't helped residual values. First-year depreciation on some Cybertruck trims has run 35–45%, according to multiple valuation analyses. The average used Cybertruck listed on CarGurus is around $82,500, with inventory ranging from roughly $55,000 to over $90,000 depending on trim, mileage, and configuration.

New Cybertruck pricing starts at approximately $70,000 for the RWD model and climbs past $120,000 for the Cyberbeast. A two-year-old RWD example in the $60,000–$70,000 range represents a meaningful discount off sticker, assuming the recall history is clean and service records exist.

The spread is wide because Cybertruck configurations vary significantly. Foundation Series trims, high-mileage examples, and vehicles with outstanding recalls will sit at the lower end. Clean, low-mileage 2024 trucks with service documentation still move near $80,000 in competitive markets.

What to Check Before You Buy

Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov before anything else. Filter by "open" campaigns. Any recall showing "remedy not yet provided" means the vehicle needs service before it's fully resolved. For 24V887 and 26V255 specifically, confirm those show completed.

Request service records for the drive inverter. If the seller can't produce documentation and the vehicle is a 2024, factor in the cost of confirming completion with a Tesla service center.

Check the wheel configuration. 18-inch steel wheels were added as a production option in August 2025. A 2024 Cybertruck won't have them from the factory. A late-2025 or 2026 example might.

Ask for a Tesla Service history export. Any Tesla service center can pull a complete history of software updates, warranty work, and service visits for a given VIN. This is the clearest way to confirm recall completion status across the full list.

FAQ

How many recalls does the Tesla Cybertruck have? As of May 2026, the Cybertruck has 7 NHTSA recalls covering 2024–2026 model years. Five were resolved via over-the-air software updates. Two required physical service: a drive inverter replacement (24V887) for 2024 models, and a wheel hub and rotor replacement (26V255) for a subset of vehicles built with 18-inch steel wheels.

Is it safe to buy a used Tesla Cybertruck with open recalls? Open recall work is done free at any Tesla service center, so an unresolved campaign isn't a dealbreaker on its own. The risk is timing and convenience. Campaign 26V255 owner notifications don't go out until June 20, 2026, so affected vehicles may not be in the service queue yet. Confirm open campaigns with the seller and get a written commitment to complete them before transfer.

Does buying a used Tesla Cybertruck mean the recall repairs are free? Yes. NHTSA recalls legally require the manufacturer to complete remedies at no charge, regardless of whether the current owner is the original buyer. If you purchase a Cybertruck with an open recall, Tesla must fix it free at a service center.

If you're tracking used Cybertruck inventory across markets, CarScout lets you set price and availability alerts on specific configurations, so you're not buying the first one that surfaces. Set a scout at usecarscout.com.

Stop searching. Start scouting.

CarScout monitors thousands of dealerships so you don't have to. Set up your first scout and get daily alerts when matching vehicles appear. Plans from $5/week. Cancel anytime.

Start Scouting