Cracked Car Rims Repaired by Welding: Are They Still Safe to Use?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Damaged car rims, caused by hitting potholes, speeding over speed bumps, or colliding with sidewalks, are a relatively common occurrence on urban roads.

The damage can vary, from dents to cracks. But if a rim is already cracked and then welded, is it still safe to use?

“If the condition is still safe and not yet cracked, then there is actually no problem. So, if it is only repaired for dents or straightened, it should still be safe and there should be no problems,” Runang told Kompas.com on Tuesday (24/2/2026).

“But if it is already cracked, this is what needs to be watched out for. A rim that has been cracked and then welded may not have the weld fully adhering and sealing properly,” he said.

Structurally, rims, especially those made of alloy, are designed to withstand the vehicle’s load while also absorbing pressure from the road surface. When a crack occurs, it means that the metal structure has experienced material failure.

“There are also cases where a rim that has been cracked and then welded, but when it hits a pothole again, it breaks again.”

Runang added that repairs are still relatively safe to carry out if the damage is only in the form of minor dents or bends.

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