Stop
A cracked wheel can fail suddenly under load; stop driving on it immediately and swap to the spare or arrange a tow.
Symptoms
- Visible hairline or larger crack in the wheel spokes or barrel
- Air leaking from an unusual spot, not the valve or bead
- Wheel making a ticking or clicking sound while driving
Likely causes
- CommonImpact damage from a pothole or curbA hard impact can crack cast aluminum wheels, especially thinner-spoke performance designs.
- PossibleMetal fatigue over timeRepeated stress, especially on wheels that have been bent and driven on, can eventually crack.
What to do
- Inspect the wheel closely in good light, especially around spokes and the rim's inner and outer lips.
- Do not drive on a wheel with a visible crack; have it towed or use the spare instead.
- Take a photo of the crack for reference before removing the wheel.
- Have a wheel specialist confirm whether it can be professionally welded and re-certified or must be replaced.
- Replace the wheel if repair isn't recommended for the crack's size or location.
Tools and parts
- Jack and lug wrench to swap to spare
Replacement wheel/rimSearch: “wheel rim for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
Have a wheel repair specialist or dealer confirm whether the crack can be safely repaired; many cracked wheels should simply be replaced.
Safety
Stop
A cracked wheel can fail suddenly under load; stop driving on it immediately and swap to the spare or arrange a tow.