While Tesla only started deliveries of the long-awaited Cybertruck late last year, it appears that owners have already started to experience issues with the intriguing aero covers for the wheels, prompting the automaker to redesign them.
Many unique design choices have been made with the Cybertruck and among the most interesting relate to the plastic aero covers. These aero covers have rubber prongs that extend up towards the side wall of the tire, making it look as though the aero cover and the tire itself are a single piece. However, owners have found that these rubber prongs or fingers can contact the tire sidewall when the car is being driven, wearing down parts of the sidewall.
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The issue was recently explained in detail by T Sportline, a prominent aftermarket firm specializing in all things Tesla. After driving its Cybertruck for a few thousand miles, it has found that these rubber prongs have started to rub against the sidewall. It says that the aero disc has worn the sidewall down by about 120 thousandths of an inch and that this would increase the more the vehicle is driven.
Owners on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum assert that Tesla has stopped delivering Cybertrucks with the aero covers installed while it works to fix them. The carmaker reportedly said it will start shipping revised aero covers in March but we know what Tesla is like with deadlines, meaning it may take longer to fix the problem. Tesla has not issued a recall for the aero covers and is currently referring to it as a “part containment pending revision”.
Interestingly, this doesn’t appear to be the only issue related to the aero covers. Reports state these covers have a habit of flying off while driving and Tesla may also be looking into ways to prevent this from happening.
While it is not uncommon for issues to arise in newly-launched vehicles, it is surprising that Tesla seemingly failed to identify any faults with the aero covers during the development of the Cybertruck.