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 522 cars we have analysed, 52 have documented tyres and wheels faults. The one with the most accumulated risk is the Mercedes-Benz GLE V167, because of “continental tyres with a damaged casing: loss of pressure or tread separation”; it is followed by the Opel Crossland and the Citroën C5 Aircross. For 470 we have found no documented tyres and wheels faults.

Reviewed on 30 October 2026How we work

Rank 1
Mercedes-Benz GLE V167
Mid-size SUV · 2 tyres and wheels faults
5.7 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsContinental tyres with a damaged casing: loss of pressure or tread separationMercedes recalled 4,568 GLE models (W166 and W167) built between April 2018 and January 2020 because the casing of certain Continental tyres could be damaged, with a risk of losing pressure or of the tread separating, wholly or partly.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsWheel bolts not tightened to the specified torque: wheels could come offIn 2026 Mercedes recalled 2,712 vehicles of several models, including the GLE, built from 17 November 2022 to 4 December 2025, because the wheel bolts were not tightened to the specified torque: bolts and wheel could come off while driving.
Rank 2
Opel Crossland
Small SUV · 2 tyres and wheels faults
6.4 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsInsufficient wheel tightening (built 2019-2020)According to fiches-auto.fr, a campaign covers Opel Crossland X built between July 2019 and November 2020 in which the wheels may not have been tightened to the correct torque at the factory.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsRear hub fixing not tightened properly (2017-2018 campaigns)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de reports a campaign (18-C-022) covering a few Crossland Xs built on 15 September 2017 in which the rear hub fixing may not have been tightened properly and could release the wheel.
Rank 3
Citroën C5 Aircross
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 4
Citroën C5 X
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsFront left wheel bolts not correctly tightened (August-December 2021 production)Yes: Citroën recalled C5 X cars built between 25 August and 6 December 2021 because the front left wheel bolts may not have been properly tightened, with a risk of losing control of the car while driving (JGT code, Safety Gate alert 13/2023).
Rank 5
Lancia Ypsilon III
City car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 6
Opel Grandland I
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 7
Peugeot Partner III
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 8
Renault Fluence
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 9
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheels255/50 R19 summer tyres with a manufacturing defect and sudden air lossYes, but only in one batch: in January 2023 Volkswagen recalled 231 ID. Buzz models built in 2022 because some 255/50 R19 summer tyres had a manufacturing defect and could suddenly lose air, which Safety Gate rates as an accident risk.
Rank 10
Volkswagen Sharan II
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsWheel bolts tightened to the wrong torque on late-2016 SharansThe Safety Gate recorded a Volkswagen recall for vehicles built from 8 September to 22 December 2016, the Sharan among them: the wheel bolts might not be tightened to the correct torque and a wheel could come off. There were also winter tyres fitted without respecting the direction of rotation.
Rank 11
Volkswagen Touareg II
Mid-size SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsWheel bolts tightened to the wrong torque on late-2016 TouaregsSafety Gate recorded a Volkswagen recall for vehicles built from 8 September to 22 December 2016, including the Touareg: the wheel bolts may not have been tightened to the correct torque and a wheel could come off. Winter tyres had also been fitted without respecting the direction of rotation.
Rank 12
Volvo S80 II
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 13
Volvo V70 III
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 14
Volvo XC70 III
Mid-size SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 15
Fiat Doblò III
Van and combi · 2 tyres and wheels faults
7.1 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: 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 severityFrequency: 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 16
Peugeot 208 II
Small family car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: 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 17
Honda CR-V II
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsOriginal tyres with damaged inner sidewall during wheel balancingIn 2003 Honda recalled a small batch of CR-Vs in the United Kingdom, built between 3 and 12 March 2003, because the inner sidewall of some tyres may have been damaged during wheel balancing and, in the worst case, the tyre could deflate while driving.
Rank 18
Toyota Yaris Cross
Small SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsPossible loosening of the Yaris Cross wheel nutsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr listing, Toyota issued a campaign in June 2023 (code 23SD 081) for possible loosening of the Yaris Cross wheel nuts. We have not been able to confirm it in an official source.
Rank 19
Volkswagen Caddy V
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: 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 20
Volkswagen Transporter T6
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
7.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: 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 21
DS DS 7 Crossback
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsAbnormal rear tyre wear on the E-Tense version (built February 2019-May 2021)DS recalled DS7 Crossback E-Tense cars built between February 2019 and May 2021 over abnormal wear of the rear tyres.
Rank 22
Fiat Stilo
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: 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 23
Fiat Tipo
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsAbnormal brittleness in the wheels of certain cars (March 2022 campaign)In March 2022 Fiat registered a campaign over abnormal brittleness in the wheels of Tipos built between April and September 2021.
Rank 24
Ford C-Max II
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 25
Ford Fiesta VII
Small family car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: 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 26
Hyundai i40
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: 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 27
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: 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 28
Mercedes-Benz Clase C W206
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 29
Mercedes-Benz Clase E W214
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsIncorrectly torqued wheel bolts on the Mercedes E-Class (2022 to 2025 production)Yes: alert SR/01626/26 includes the E-Class built between November 2022 and December 2025 because the wheel bolts were not tightened to the specified torque and the wheels could come off. The campaign is multi-model (2,712 vehicles in total).
Rank 30
Mercedes-Benz Clase G W463A
Mid-size SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel bolts not tightened to the correct torque on the Mercedes G-Class (2022 to 2025 production)Yes: alert SR/01626/26 includes G-Class built between November 2022 and December 2025 because wheel bolts were not tightened to the specified torque and the wheels could come loose. The recall covers several models (2,712 vehicles in total).
Rank 31
Mercedes-Benz Clase S W223
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel bolts not tightened to the specified torqueA recall registered in June 2026 in the European alert system covers the S-Class W223 from 2022 to 2025 because the wheel bolts were not tightened to the specified torque and the wheel could come loose.
Rank 32
Mercedes-Benz GLA H247
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: 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 33
Mercedes-Benz GLB X247
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel bolts tightened to the wrong torqueA European notice from June 2026 warns that on some GLBs built between November 2022 and December 2025 the wheel bolts were not tightened to the specified torque, and the wheels could come loose while the car is moving.
Rank 34
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter T1N
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsTyre valves that may leak air where they meet the rim (2000 to 2003 units)The British DVSA records a June 2004 campaign for 113 Sprinters built between December 2000 and December 2003: the tyre valves may not meet the specification and could lose air where they are fitted to the rim. The remedy was to fit new compliant valves.
Rank 35
Renault Talisman
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsPremature wear of the front tyresIt is the most repeated non-mechanical complaint about the Talisman: 41 of 265 reports on fiches-auto.fr mention tyre wear. The page also mentions a Renault initiative on premature front tyre wear in spring 2018.
Rank 36
Toyota ProAce City
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.6 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: 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 37
Dacia Duster I
Small SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: 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 38
Ford S-Max I
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: 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 39
Hyundai Ioniq
Compact · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: 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 40
Opel Mokka B
Small SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsDamaged tyres at the final brake inspection (built October 2024)A recall (code KP6) covers 1,584 Mokkas built between 9 and 22 October 2024: the tyres may have been damaged during the final brake inspection, with a risk of pressure loss or blowout.
Rank 41
Peugeot 107
City car · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel hub wheel-fixing thread badly machined (2009 production)Gebrauchtwagenberater records a KBA recall for a badly machined thread in the hub, which did not guarantee the torque of the wheel bolts; it affected around 58 cars from 2009.
Rank 42
Peugeot Partner II
Van and combi · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: 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 43
Renault Austral
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- High severityFrequency: RareTyres and wheelsWheel bolts not tightened properly on 2022 Austral (OEF1 campaign)Renault recalled a small batch of Australs (and Mégane) built between 17 August and 5 December 2022 because the wheel bolts on one or more wheels might not be properly tightened, and a wheel could come off. Safety Gate puts the number at 393 cars worldwide.
Rank 44
Tesla Model 3
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
8.9 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: 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 45
BMW Serie 5 Gran Turismo F07
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsUneven tyre wear and damaged alloy wheelsSome 5 Series GT owners report premature tyre wear, blamed on the standard run-flat tyres and incorrect wheel alignment, and alloy wheels that are pitted, cracked or bent.
Rank 46
Citroën C5 II
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: 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 47
Opel Insignia A
Saloon · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsPremature or uneven tyre wearThe fiches-auto.fr page cites 22 cases of premature tyre wear on the Insignia A, with abnormal wear and deformation, mostly on the rear tyres according to some testimonies.
Rank 48
Opel Zafira B
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: 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 49
Renault Scénic IV
MPV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Medium severityFrequency: 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 50
Volkswagen Tiguan I
Compact SUV · 1 tyres and wheels fault
9.3 out of 10tyres and wheels score
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalTyres and wheelsUneven tyre wear, especially on versions with wide wheelsA French reliability site records a noticeable number of complaints about uneven tyre wear on the Tiguan I, more common on heavier versions or those with wide wheels, and links it to play in the multi-link rear axle or imprecise geometry.
Rank 51Mazda CX-7 · 1 tyres and wheels fault9.6 out of 10
Rank 52Volkswagen Arteon · 1 tyres and wheels fault9.6 out of 10

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.