Cars with the most tyres and wheels problems

Ranking of the cars we have analysed by the severity and frequency of their documented tyres and wheels faults. Each fault links to its page: symptoms, cost, how to check it and sources.

Of the 317 cars we have analysed, 29 have documented tyres and wheels faults. The one with the most accumulated risk is the Citroën C5 Aircross, because of “insufficient tightening of the rear wheel hub (built december 2021)”; it is followed by the Lancia Ypsilon III and the Opel Grandland I. For 288 we have found no documented tyres and wheels faults.

Reviewed on 9 October 2026How we work

Rank 1
Citroën C5 Aircross
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsInsufficient tightening of the rear wheel hub (built December 2021)In March 2023 Citroën recalled C5 Aircross cars built in December 2021 because the rear wheel hub may not be tightened to the correct torque on the axle, which can make the wheel tilt noticeably.
Rank 2
Lancia Ypsilon III
City car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsWheel bolts badly tightened at the factory (September 2017 to May 2018 cars)Yes: in August 2018 a recall was notified over wheel bolts badly tightened at the factory on Ypsilon cars built between 22 September 2017 and 28 May 2018. Insufficient tightening can cause a wheel to come off; confirm your chassis number at an authorised dealer.
Rank 3
Opel Grandland I
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsInsufficient tightening of the wheel bolts (July-September 2023 build)fiches-auto.fr documents a campaign (code KJ2) on Grandland X models built between 28 July and 19 September 2023 in which the wheel bolts may not have been tightened to the correct torque, with a risk of vibration and of the wheel coming off.
Rank 4
Peugeot Partner III
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsCampaign over incorrect wheel bolts with a risk of the wheel coming offAccording to the Rifter and Berlingo 3 entries on fiches-auto.fr, there is a campaign over incorrect wheel bolts that could work loose (Berlingo 3: December 2023 to September 2025; Rifter: 2026). Check with the chassis number (VIN) whether your Partner is covered.
Rank 5
Renault Fluence
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsWheel bolts under-tightened on cars built in 2015Yes: a Safety Gate alert (A12/0087/16) covers Fluence X38 cars built between 1 April and 6 November 2015, because insufficiently tightened wheel bolts could cause a wheel to be lost while driving. It is a preventive recall: check with your VIN whether your car is included.
Rank 6
Volvo S80 II
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsVolvo S80 wheel bolts without the correct heat treatment: risk of the wheel working looseIn 2010 Volvo recalled (R/2010/166 in the UK) a batch of V60, V70, XC70, S80 and XC90 cars because the standard wheel bolts might not have received the correct hardening. They corrode and cause noise or vibration and, if not corrected, the wheel could work loose and come off. The remedy is to replace all the bolts.
Rank 7
Volvo V70 III
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsVolvo V70 wheel bolts without the correct heat treatment: risk of the wheel working looseIn 2010 Volvo recalled (R/2010/166 in the UK) a batch of V60, V70, XC70, S80 and XC90 cars because the standard wheel bolts might not have received the correct hardening. They corrode and cause noise or vibration and, if not corrected, the wheel could work loose and come off. The remedy is to replace all the bolts.
Rank 8
Volvo XC70 III
Mid-size SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsVolvo XC70 wheel bolts without the correct heat treatment: risk of the wheel working looseIn 2010 Volvo recalled (R/2010/166 in the United Kingdom) a batch of V60, V70, XC70, S80 and XC90 cars because the standard wheel bolts might not have received the correct hardening. They corrode and cause noise or vibration and, if not corrected, the wheel could work loose and come off. The remedy is to replace all the bolts.
Rank 9
Fiat Doblò III
Van and combi · 2 tyres and wheels faults
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsStandard tyres with a maximum load below the maximum permitted rear axle weightFiat recalled Doblòs (K9) built between October 2022 and October 2023: the maximum permissible load of the factory-fitted tyres was lower than the maximum permitted weight on the rear axle, and overloaded tyres may be damaged and lose grip.
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsInaccurate tyre pressure warning caused by incorrect ESC codingA 2026 recall covers 386 Doblòs built between 28 December 2023 and 7 March 2024: incorrect coding of the stability control (ESC) distorts the tyre pressure warning, which may fail to warn, warn late or warn for no reason.
Rank 10
Peugeot 208 II
Small family car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentTyres and wheelsOriginal tyres with unsuitable rubber that reduces ESP effectiveness (2023 production)Peugeot recalled the 208 IIs built between 28 February and 14 March 2023 because the factory-fitted tyre might have an unsuitable rubber compound that reduces the effectiveness of the stability control (ESP).
Rank 11
Volkswagen Caddy V
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsBulges or tears in the inner sidewall of the Caddy's tyresBulges or tears on the inner side of the tyre can cause a gradual or sudden loss of pressure on Caddys and Caddy Maxis built between September 2022 and February 2023 (1,206 vehicles).
Rank 12
Volkswagen Transporter T6
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsSudden air loss in the factory-fitted Continental ContiEcoContact 5 tyresThe factory-fitted 235/55 R 17 103 H ContiEcoContact 5 tyres can suddenly lose air under a heavy load and cause instability; campaign 44R9 covers 7,833 T6/T6.1 vans from 2016 to 2021.
Rank 13
Fiat Stilo
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsPremature, uneven wear of the front tyresSome Stilo owners describe front tyres completely worn out in under 15,000 km despite gentle driving, with uneven wear as well.
Rank 14
Ford C-Max II
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityRareFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsManufacturing cracks in alloy wheelsIn 2018 Ford recalled C-MAX cars built in a very specific batch from September-October 2016 because a casting defect could cause cracks in the alloy wheels.
Rank 15
Ford Fiesta VII
Small family car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsBuckling of the 16 and 17-inch alloy wheelsThe 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels of the Fiesta VII can buckle after hitting a pothole or kerb, which shows up as a clear vibration while driving as soon as the car is under way.
Rank 16
Hyundai i40
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheels12 V socket overheating when using the tyre repair kit compressorYes: according to Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, citing the German authority KBA, the 12 V socket of i40s up to the 2012 model year can overheat when using the tyre repair kit compressor; the fix is a fused extension cable.
Rank 17
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsPremature and uneven tyre wearSeveral owner testimonies describe premature or uneven tyre wear on the Ioniq 5, which workshops link to the battery's high weight and the instant torque of electric motors; in some cases imprecise factory steering geometry is also mentioned.
Rank 18
Mercedes-Benz Clase C W206
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityRareFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel bolts that can work loose because of an incorrect tightening torqueIn 2026 Mercedes-Benz began a campaign, supervised by the German KBA, because the wheel bolts on a production range spanning several series - including the C-Class - might not be tightened to the specified torque and could work loose while driving.
Rank 19
Mercedes-Benz GLA H247
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityRareFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel bolts with incorrect tightening torque, risk of working looseGermany's KBA recalled a range of Mercedes vehicles built between November 2022 and December 2025, including the GLA, because the wheel bolts may not have been tightened to the correct torque at the factory.
Rank 20
Toyota ProAce City
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsIncorrect calibration of the indirect tyre pressure monitoringA Toyota campaign (CI25-037) covers ProAce City built between 23 December 2023 and 14 March 2024: the indirect tyre pressure monitoring may fail to warn, warn late or give false alarms because of an incorrect calibration of the ESC software.
Rank 21
Dacia Duster I
Small SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonTyres and wheelsSteering wheel and wheel vibrations from 110 km/hFiches-auto.fr and Caradisiac report numerous complaints of steering wheel and wheel vibrations on the Duster I between 110 and 140 km/h, generally put down to wheel imbalance or tyres that wear unevenly.
Rank 22
Ford S-Max I
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonTyres and wheelsPremature front tyre wear on the S-MaxIt is the most repeated complaint in the S-Max I testimonials: the outer edges of the front tyres wear quickly, because of the car's weight and the alignment or bushes. There are cases of tyres being replaced every 20,000 km.
Rank 23
Hyundai Ioniq
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityRareFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsRecall for insufficiently tightened wheel boltsAccording to fiches-auto.fr, Hyundai issued a recall in January 2020 for Ioniqs built between July and August 2019 because some wheel bolts might not have been tightened enough at the factory, with a risk of a wheel coming loose.
Rank 24
Peugeot Partner II
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonTyres and wheelsFast tyre wear, especially on the rearThe same survey documents 50 cases of tyres wearing quickly, sometimes on all four wheels but mainly on the rear, with testimonies of replacement between 15,000 and 20,000 km.Appears at around 15,000 km
Rank 25
Tesla Model 3
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityCommonFrequency: CommonTyres and wheelsTyre wear faster than usualThe weight and torque of the electric motors make the Tesla Model 3 wear its tyres faster than a comparable combustion car: in a km77 long-term test the original tyres reached the legal limit in the inner grooves at 46,963 km, and Kwik Fit ranks the Model 3 first in its tyre wear ranking in the UK.Repair (garage): €650–€750Appears at around 46,963 km
Rank 26
Citroën C5 II
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsFast, uneven tyre wear, especially on the front tyresThe same survey documents 51 cases of uneven tyre wear, sometimes on all four wheels but especially on the front ones, with reports of replacement between 15,000 and 40,000 km, well below the usual service life.Appears at around 15,000 km
Rank 27
Opel Zafira B
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsRear tyres wearing somewhat faster than usualAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the Zafira B's rear tyres wear somewhat faster than usual: the source records 40 reports of tyre wear among 378 owner reviews, without detailing a specific mechanical cause.
Rank 28
Renault Scénic IV
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityRareFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsPremature, uneven wear of the front tyresSeveral Scenic IV owners describe uneven and faster-than-normal wear on the front tyres, in one case at just 20,000 km, which several testimonies associate with a front axle geometry defect; there are no studies or official campaigns confirming it.
Rank 29
Mazda CX-7
Mid-size SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityRareFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsElectronic faults in the tyre pressure monitoring systemThe 2015 DEKRA report, covered by Autofácil, mentions some electronic faults in the tyre pressure monitoring of the Mazda CX-7 (2007-2011). The source does not explain whether the wheel sensors or the control unit are failing.

No documented tyres and wheels faults

We have found no reliable sources reporting tyres and wheels faults on these cars. That does not mean they never fail: maintenance and use count as much as design.