Police in Quebec are warning motorists about the Lug Nut Challenge,
a dangerous social media trend where individuals unscrew car wheel bolts.
Crime Clusters in Memphrémagog and Longueuil
The Régie de police de Memphrémagog (RPM) has seen a sharp spike in activity. Between June 5 and July 28, the agency recorded four reports of loosened lug nuts in the Eastern Townships. These incidents occurred in residential neighborhoods in Magog, Orford, and Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, as well as in the parking lot of a local business.
The danger is not theoretical. According to the RPM, three of these recent cases could have had tragic outcomes. The agency also handled a similar case in October 2025, suggesting the trend has been simmering for nearly a year before the current surge.
The Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) has three open files for mischief involving vehicles. While one instance may have been the result of a mistake during a tire change at a garage, the SPAL considers voluntary tampering plausible for the other cases.
The Mechanics of a Wheel Failure
The “challenge” relies on a specific mechanical failure. When lug nuts are loosened, the wheel begins to detach from the hub—the central piece connecting the rim to the axle. This creates a shift in the axis that accelerates the detachment process until the nuts fall off completely and the wheel separates from the vehicle.
One TikTok video shows a driver losing a wheel on the highway. In Mauricie, a father reported that his wife nearly lost a wheel while driving with their two children, aged 2 and 4, in January.
Criminal Charges and Sûreté du Québec Warnings
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) warns that if police determine the act was intentional, it can lead to charges of mischief or criminal negligence, potentially resulting in a criminal record for the youth involved.
We invite motorists to be attentive to the mechanical condition of their vehicle before taking to the road. Kim Cormier, agente d’information pour la Sûreté du Québec (SQ)
However, not every loose nut is a crime. In Mauricie, a mechanic from Garage Jean Bureau noted that poorly tightened nuts or the impact of potholes—which are common in Trois-Rivières—can cause bolts to loosen over time. This creates a conflict between viral panic and mechanical reality; while the SQ is aware of the TikTok trend, they have also warned the public to remain vigilant against disinformation when social media posts presume adolescents are the only culprits.
TikTok’s Response and Prevention
TikTok has faced criticism for its perceived inaction regarding the spread of the challenge. In response, the platform has implemented a awareness message that appears when users search for videos related to the challenge. The company has also provided a four-step process to help users evaluate whether online challenges are dangerous, disturbing, or fabricated.
- Parental Dialogue: The RPM urges parents to discuss these trends with teenagers, as the phenomenon is primarily driven by TikTok.
