Have a Porsche With Center-Lock Wheels? You Might Want to Stop Driving It

Porsche has recalled 1,851 vehicles with center lock wheels. A fracture in the bolt could cause the wheels to come off. The recall includes the 911, 718 Cayman GT4 RS, and 718 Spyder RS.

Porsche Cars North America has identified a potential problem with bolts used on some vehicles with center lock wheels. As a result, the company recalled 1,851 vehicles and issued a stop-use advisory to dealers and vehicle owners, lest a wheel should come off while in use.

Only three models—the Porsche 911, 718 Cayman GT4 RS, and 718 Spyder RS— are listed in the recall. All are from the 2024 model year and have manufacturing dates from September 2023 through December 2023. Porsche doesn't provide a specific number of recalled cars for each model.

According to recall documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Porsche "became aware of several incidents attributable to center lock fractures." Investigations are ongoing, but a notice sent to dealers mentions a potential issue with a certain production run of center lock wheel bolts. The exact nature of the problem isn't clear; Porsche simply states these bolts "may not have been constructed to specification" and could fracture.

At this time, Porsche advises all owners of affected vehicles to park them until an inspection can be performed. If any issues are found, Porsche will replace damaged components. Specific owner notification will begin in late December.

Unlike standard vehicle wheels that mount on five or more lug studs, center lock wheels mount with just a single bolt in the middle. It's a common design used in racing; removing/installing one bolt makes for quicker pit stops. The benefits of center lock wheels on road cars, however, are debatable at best. Porsche says a center lock wheel has a lower rotating mass, and the center bolt prevents the wheel from loosening up over time. But it requires considerably more torque to fasten down, typically over 400 pound-feet. Special tools are needed to remove and install the wheels, and should something happen to the bolt....