What does it say about the Tesla Cybertruck with reports of hubcaps flying off its wheels? Should drivers be concerned that a hubcap, or possibly other parts like headlights, entire wheels, or maybe windows, could potentially peel off as well? And not just Cybertruck drivers, but those around them? In this case, the hubcap spun off the wheel like a flying saucer. Then, it almost hit another car before continuing its sci-fi-like Martian spinning blade trajectory. 

Cybertruck’s “aerodynamic hubcap” really is aerodynamic

The “aerodynamic wheel cover” must really be aerodynamic after seeing it slice through the atmosphere in the video below. Tesla has been ramping up testing on public roads, making those of us in proximity potential guinea pigs. At least as far as potentially being the victim of an encounter with an air-piercing tin plate. 

That video came from another Tesla with its Autopilot camera. These take and then store videos from around the EV as it is driving. It was shot not far from its Fremont, California, factory. Without the “release candidate” graphics seen on other Cybertrucks, we can assume this is a working prototype. 

The good news is that once the hubcap hit the 101 Freeway surface, it broke apart. This thwarted it from potentially killing motorists should it catch air from a passing car and continue wreaking havoc in its path. Electrek says that testing Tesla vehicles are driven “hundreds of millions of miles a day,” and so I guess we should be happy that in hundreds of millions of miles driven, this hasn’t been happening more often. Somehow, we doubt that the number comes close to even a few thousand miles a day, at most. 

Aren’t there other incidents of parts flying off Teslas?

But it posits it as a salve of sorts for those concerned about other similar incidents. The thing is that there have been similar incidents over the past several years where parts come flying off Tesla cars. We know of a roof flying off a Model 3 in October 2020 in California. 

And then there is the ongoing probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over reports of numerous Tesla Model Y steering wheels falling off while driving. Reuters reports this investigation began in March 2023. 

Another incident also caught on a dashcam is from February 2021. This time, a Model 3 right rear window flew off before shattering on the 55 Freeway in the OC. And we won’t even get into many reports of windows shattering spontaneously. 

It happens with many automakers’ vehicles, not just Tesla. But it shows that while we are poking a bit of fun at the Cybertruck, things flying off of Teslas is not all that uncommon.