2014 Tesla Model S suspension problems

SUSPENSION

Vehicle Information: 2014 Tesla Model S VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] Component Affected: Suspension / Air Suspension / Ride Height Control Problem Description: On [XXX], while driving, my 2014 Tesla Model S suddenly raised itself to and/or beyond maximum ride height without any driver input. Immediately afterward, the front driver-side suspension collapsed completely, leaving the vehicle unsafe to operate. This appears to be an uncommanded overinflation event caused by Tesla’s suspension control system. It is not normal wear but a manufacturer-induced malfunction. If this failure had occurred at highway speeds, it could have caused catastrophic loss of control. The collapse of a suspension system without warning is a serious safety defect. Tesla’s service center in Moraine, OH, has refused to review the vehicle logs (which would confirm this sequence of failure) and has instead classified the incident as a standard part failure. As a result, Tesla is attempting to push full financial liability onto the owner instead of addressing what is clearly a safety-critical defect. Safety Concern: A sudden, uncommanded suspension height change followed by collapse could lead to total loss of vehicle control and a crash. This poses an ongoing risk to both Tesla drivers and the public. Requested Action: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this failure mode as a safety defect in Tesla Model S vehicles and require Tesla to address these failures appropriately. Service Center Involved: Tesla Service Center 1927 W Dorothy Ln Moraine, OH 45439 Owner Information: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11681856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I have put my car in the shop 11 times since I purchased it 3 years ago. Now my suspension is having issues. I don't qualify for the lemon law due to the age of my car. I paid over 30,000 for a car that is not going to last till its paid off.

NHTSA complaint #11588614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

While driving, my back wheel fell off. I had the car in for suspension work twice in Q4 2023, and then on March 7, 2024 my back wheel fell off. When speaking with Tesla, they said that this sometimes happens and they have seen this issue before. The also told me that they think it only happens at low speeds, but I have found articles where people were on the highway and their wheel fell off. China has made Tesla do a recall for suspension and wheel issues, why haven't we? I now have had my vehicles suspension worked on at least 4 times, this is dangerous and scary.

NHTSA complaint #11577340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Premature wear on almost all front suspension parts relating to control arms and sway bar links. Recently had to pay out of pocket to have two steering rack bolts tightened, they were not torqued properly from the factory apparently

NHTSA complaint #11567887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Front control arms left and right FR SUSP FORE LINK ASSY , only the replacement is available for inspection upon request. The safety that was put at risk is unknown. It was repaired by Tesla at my expense. There were no warning lamps, messages the only symptoms was noise, metal banging.

NHTSA complaint #11566620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Our vehicle has just over 100k miles, and we have had the front control arms replaced twice. Tesla says that we have to keep replacing because it's a safety issue, but refuses to take ownership of the fact that the control arms should not fail this frequently. In China, Tesla is doing recalls for this part and there is a class action lawsuit in the US. However, Tesla has told me that I need to keep replacing this parts because if they fail then the car could crash.

NHTSA complaint #11555898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Our right rear lower control arm broke off at the outer end. The wheel and hub dropped and cambered out away from the vehicle and the vehicle could not be driven. Fortunately this occurred entering our driveway at low speed. The car was taken to Tesla and we believe should have been repaired under service bulletin [XXX] detailing this exact issue. However, they are presenting a bill for about $7000. claiming our VIN is not within this bulletin. We note that our car was purchased in January 2014 but also the bulletin says approximate. We also believe NTSHA has been made aware of this issue but has failed to issue a recall. This is a serious safety issue! At freeway speeds this could have caused a total loss of control and a serious crash in our opinion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11552027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

This is for 2017 model s, with vin: 5YJSA7E1XHF190080, but your form didn't allow it. Front lower right forward control arm, hairline crack in the portion that holds the ball joint to the hub. Can only be visible when taken off car. When discovered early you only hear a small clicking sound in the car when steering in certain angle over a pothole or similar. When allowed to be continued used, crack is expanding in the aluminum control arm and the ball joint is coming loose, further driving fatigues the aluminum arm and breaks it.

NHTSA complaint #11528476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The wheel came off the car while driving with no warning. It was just at service at the Tesla in Devon PA on May 12, 2023. This is a safety issue! Tesla refused to cover the repair and charged a diagnostic fee on top of that!

NHTSA complaint #11526456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Left rear control arm (Tesla referred to it as Upper Rear suspension link and integral link) broke from the joint causing the wheel to fall off and damage the halfshaft, air spring and bushings. Fortunately I was barely moving at the time of the accident. Had this happened on the freeway I could have been killed. Looking online and at other comments on here this does not appear to be an isolated incident.

NHTSA complaint #11518048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The rear sub-frame mounting point for the rear toe arm failed. Likes like shire metal fatigue. It broke while going 70 MPH on the high way and the car fishtailed almost causing me to crash into the cars next to me. I was able to slow down and pull over. But an in experienced driver would have lost control and crashed. Basically rear drive tire just fell off. Tesla service center has inspected it and found the broke metal mount point. Noting a new sub-frame is needed. No warning lights, and I could probably drive it around all day with no lights or warning, as this was a suspension issue and nothing related to a computer. Even AutoPilot1 continued to work just fine.

NHTSA complaint #11502215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Rear lower control arm broke, causing extreme twitch and near loss of vehicle control about 1/4 mile before getting on highway. There was a loud ping in a parking garage the day before while turning, but nothing seemed to be wrong with the car at that time and I assumed there must have been a water bottle cap or something that went under the tire (can't see ground well in a tight parking garage, which had some litter here and there). Drove about 30 miles home without incident. I suspect that the control arm was only fractured at that point, but retained enough metal to hold the wheel in place (terrifying to think we were driving at highway speeds like that). The following morning, reversed out of garage and was approaching highway at neighborhood speeds when car veered very suddenly. Immediately returned to garage and changed to my other car. Found the control arm completely separated when inspecting it that evening. Part was revised and cars built just prior to mine (same part number) were covered by a TSB. Tesla refused to offer any TSB coverage and are the sole supplier of replacement parts ($350/each). This kind of part does wear out but should not catastrophically fail-- appears to be poor quality part, cast, or metallurgy. It was nearly a huge accident twice, and both times would have been at highway speeds. As unnerving as the sudden skew was, it was the best warning/outcome I could have since Tesla did not recall this widely reported failure. I don't understand how production dates take precedence over part numbers when TSB/recalls are issued -- it makes no sense.

NHTSA complaint #11498194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Front end suspension started making creaking noises, rattles when driving over bumps and holes, steering wheel makes popping sound when turning. Had estimate from Tesla for repair totaling almost $7,000. After doing some research myself this is a common issue with these vehicles from 2012-2018 and some have been repaired at no cost to keep consumers quiet about the issues.

NHTSA complaint #11457037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

creaking noise when turning wheel. suspension jumpy when driving over bumps. taken to tesla service center found to have cracked aft left and right suspension links which were subsequently replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11453309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The front suspension on the drivers side just broke down. I was luckily at extremely low speed since I was reversing the car. Previously the rear subframe on my car was also damaged. Tesla repaired it and made me/insurance pay for those damages even though it was issues with the frame of the car.

NHTSA complaint #11430695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

On February 15, 2021, I was driving my Tesla Model S and turned onto a neighborhood road at a speed of approximately 10-15 mph. I just started to accelerate when an extremely loud noise came from the front end of the car, much like an explosion. The vehicle continued to drive, but was noticeably lower in the front. I pulled over and stopped. I was shaken by the noise and could have lost control. Fortunately, I was not driving fast and there were no cars near my vehicle. There was no warning in terms of lights or altered performance prior to the noise just described. After inspecting the bottom of the car and seeing nothing dragging or impeding driving, I returned to my house about a block away. The car was taken to a Tesla dealer and repaired. The "left front strut spring" had broken, according to the Tesla mechanic. The mechanic claimed that this was not unusual due to "rusting" that occurred in the Mid-Atlantic climate. The car had 54,500 miles on the odometer. I have never heard of a catastrophic break of such equipment, with no warning, due to "rusting". I am reporting the part failure because if the break had occurred while turning onto a busy road, the problem could easily have led to the loss of control and an accident. This was not a threat to me because I was on a little-used city road with a low speed limit. After the repair was made, I requested the broken part from Tesla, but was told it had been thrown away.

NHTSA complaint #11420453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THIS IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT IN REGARD TO YOUR INVESTIGATIONS OF TESLA SUSPENSION BREAKAGES. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF A TESLA MODEL S 2014 OWNER IN NORWAY WHO IS UNLIKELY TO REPORT THIS TO AUTHORITIES. I HAVE USED A VIN OF A RANDOM 2014 TESLA TO FILE THE COMPLAINT. HERE IS THE THREAD IN WHICH THE OWNER POSTS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/ANOTHER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-CONTROL-ARM-FAILURE.114967/PAGE-20. NOTE THAT THIS IS PAGE 20 OF A GIGANTIC THREAD OF BREAKAGE COMPLAINTS. SNIP** QUASHERA, TODAY AT 5:28 AM IM A PROUD MEMBER OF THIS CLUB AS WELL NOW! [​IMG] HEARD A THUMP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THANKFULLY I STOPPED TO TURN JUST A FEW HUNDRED METERS LATER AND WHEN I PUT IN REVERSE ANOTHER THIRD SNAPPED OFF. KIND OF AWKWARD TO BLOCK OFF THE ENTIRE ROAD. [​IMG] 2014 MODEL S WITH AP THE PART SEEMS TO HAVE BROKEN OFF IN 2 PIECES, ONE PART BROKE WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, AND THE OTHER BROKE WHEN I STOPPED TO TURN. LOOKING AT THE PARTS THE MIDDLE BREAKAGE SEEMS QUITE OXIDIZED, SO I THINK I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE WITH A BROKEN PART BEFORE IT FAILED COMPLETELY. (LOOK AT THE COLOUR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TOP (OLD) AND BOTTOM(FRESH) SURFACE. IM SO THANKFUL THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE AT SPEED.** THE IMAGES ARE ATTACHED TO THIS COMPLAINT. PLEASE TAKE ACTION. THIS FAILURE HAS ALREADY KILLED PEOPLE. THANK YOU KEEF

NHTSA complaint #11396850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THIS IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT TESLA SUSPENSION BREAKAGES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED A SUBSTITUTE VIN SINCE THE VIN OF THE CAR IN QUESTION IS NOT DECIPHERABLE DUE TO CRASH DAMAGE. THE CAR IS IN THE COPART SALVAGE YARD AND IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/60420790/PHOTOS/2014-TESLA-MODEL-S-CA-MARTINEZ THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN A SEVERE CRASH AND IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED. THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF AND IS STASHED IN THE FRUNK. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS ALSO SNAPPED OFF. GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR SUSPENSION BREAKAGES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY OWNERS IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT BROKEN SUSPENSION PARTS WERE THE CAUSE OF THIS CRASH AND NOT JUST DAMAGED BY THE CRASH. PLEASE GO AND INSPECT THIS CAR AND LOOK INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH. THANK YOU. KEEF

NHTSA complaint #11396859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TESLA (14010 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090, (878) 332-6091) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE SUSPENSION TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #11396667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TWO PROBLEMS: MY CAR IS GIVING OFF WARNINGS ABOUT THE SUSPENSION. AND SO FAR TESLA REFUSES TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. 2) THE CENTER CONTROL UNIT IS SLOWING DOWN AND SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS AREN'T WORKING. SO FOR EXAMPLE, MY BACKUP CAMERA WOULD NOT COME ON TODAY. AGAIN TESLA IS REFUSING TO FIX THIS AND SUGGESTING THAT I WAIT FIRMWARE FIX. AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11390424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TOTAL LOSS OF DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE CONSOLE KEEPS GOING BLACK, TOTAL LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS, SUSPENSION CONTROL, HEATER CONTROLS, DE FOG AND DE ICE, NO REAR CAMERA, NO CRUISE CONTROL, HIGH LOW BEAMS,NO ABILITY TO USE FOG LAMPS. PLUS MANY MORE THINGS TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE DEPT AND THEY DID A TEMP FIX FOR $150 BUT TOLD ME IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN AND IT DID THE VERY NEXT MORNING. SOMETHING TO DO WHAT'S CALLED THE MCU MEMORY FAILING. ITS GONE DARK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MANY DIFFERENT DATES. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL DO IT AGAIN. MAKES THE VEHICLE IN MY ESTIMATION MORE LIKELY TO GET INTO A CRASH

NHTSA complaint #11388477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

REAR END OF THE CAR SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. TESLA VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED REPLACED REAR TOW LINKS AND FRONT AFT LINKS. THEY SAID THESE PARTS WERE WORN. THEY CHARGED $3,098 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 38,692 MILES ON IT. I KNOW THAT TESLA CARS WITH SIMILAR SUSPENSION ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN CHINA. IT IS ALSO CLEAR FROM VARIOUS BLOGS THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK THE ISSUE IS A PROBLEM WITH ORIGINAL DESIGN. IS THERE ANY PLAN TO RECALL THESE CARS FOR THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA complaint #11388485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY SON ON LOCAL ROADS, WITH NO UNUSUAL BUMPS OR POTHOLES, I EXPERIENCED AN ALARMING LOSS OF STABILITY. I SLOWED MY SPEED DOWN AND MADE IT HOME. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, I SAW THAT THE REAR WHEEL WAS CANTILEVERED ABOUT 15 DEGREES FROM VERTICAL. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO HOIST THE CAR AND LOOK UNDERNEATH, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS A BROKEN LOWER CONTROL ARM (SEE PHOTO). TO BE CLEAR, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT WHICH CAUSED THIS AND IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS/FATAL ACCIDENT IF I'D BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR BUSY ROAD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE COVERED BY THE SERVICE BULLETIN SB-19-31-001. I HAD THE REAR CONTROL ARMS REPLACED BY A LOCAL TESLA SERVICE CENTER AT MY EXPENSE. THIS ISSUE IS A REAL SAFETY RISK THOUGH AND AFFECTED CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

NHTSA complaint #11385738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND TURNING THE CAR OVER SLIGHTLY UNEVEN SURFACES LIKE A DRIVEWAY OR CAR PARKS THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A CLUNKING AND CLICKING SOUND. VIBRATION AND THUDS CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOTWELLS OF THE CAR. I BROUGHT TO TESLA AND THEY SAID THIS IS WEAR AND TEAR AND CHARGED ME $2,700 TO FIX EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. MANY SIMILAR ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECORDED OF OTHER TESLAS WITH WORSE CASES OF PARTS BREAKING DURING SLOW OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TESLA SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT IF I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THE CAR IS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE! EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CASES OF PARTS BREAKING WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. VERY NEGLIGENT OF TESLA STAFF TO STATE THIS. CAR DETAILS MODEL S85 61,000KS (38,000MILES) YEAR 2014 SEE ATTACHED IMAGE OF PARTS REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #11384961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

MY SUSPENSION IS CONSTANTLY MAKING SOUNDS AND AFTER TAKING TO TESLA IT WAS 3RD TIME IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE FORE LINK, CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS HAVE GONE OUT. I REPAIRED IT AND NOW SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS BACK

NHTSA complaint #11377568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

MY FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING A WHEEL MISALIGNMENT AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. THE CONTROL ARMS AND THE SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL TO BE LOOSE. I HAVE KEPT THE PARTS AND THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER GASKETS FAILED AND WATER ENTERED THE JOINTS CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR. WITH THE LANE KEEP (AUTOPILOT FUNCTION) ON HIGHWAY 40 BETWEEN LAWRENCE AND TOPEKA, THE CAR STEERS ITSELF EITHER TOWARD THE DITCH OR TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN APPROACHING THE TOP OF A HILL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. 10

NHTSA complaint #11377252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.