332 of the
2,399 complaints filed about the Tesla Model X
are about the suspension —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
I own a 2023 Tesla Model X and I am reporting a steering-related safety concern. When making hard left turns, the steering wheel/front end shakes or shudders and makes a LOUD sounds. This does not feel or sound normal and appears to be related to the steering or front suspension system. The issue happens during low-speed turning/maneuvering when the wheel is turned sharply to the left. I contacted Tesla Service regarding the issue. Tesla advised that this is a known issue and that there is currently no available fix. Despite acknowledging that it is a known issue with no repair available, Tesla still wants to charge me a diagnostic fee. I am concerned because this involves the steering system, and I do not believe a vehicle should have steering shake or shuddering during normal turning, especially on a 2023 vehicle. Since Tesla has stated this is a known issue but has no fix, I am requesting that NHTSA review this as a potential safety defect affecting the 2023 Tesla Model X. The issue has not been repaired because Tesla stated there is no fix available at this time.
NHTSA complaint #11747871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Incident Description: I was driving on the highway using Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) / FSD Supervised at approximately 65+ mph. Traffic conditions were moderate, and weather and visibility conditions were clear. While FSD was actively engaged, my phone began ringing. As I briefly attempted to silence the ringing phone, the FSD system unexpectedly disengaged/canceled during highway driving. I did not receive sufficient audible warning, advance notification, or adequate transition time to safely assume full manual control of the vehicle. There was no meaningful cushion time for driver response before vehicle behavior changed. The disengagement occurred abruptly and created an immediate dangerous situation at highway speed. The sudden transfer of control, without sufficient warning or response time, significantly reduced my ability to react safely. At the time of the incident: - My attention had been on the roadway prior to the phone ringing - I was monitoring the vehicle as required under FSD Supervised - My hands were near the steering wheel - There was no construction, lane merge, or unusual road condition nearby Immediately following the disengagement, the vehicle suddenly drifted and braked, resulting in a collision with the curb/barrier area near the highway bridge. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved and no secondary collision occurred. I am requesting that Tesla investigate: - FSD disengagement behavior - Warning timing and driver alert mechanisms - System logs and telemetry data - Whether the vehicle generated internal safety/event reports at the time of the incident - Whether the disengagement and transition-to-driver behavior complied with Tesla’s intended safety protocols Relevant evidence preserved: - Tesla dashcam footage - Photos of vehicle damage and scene - Time and location information - Vehicle data request pending
NHTSA complaint #11739929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The failure involves the rear suspension system, specifically suspected rear control arm / suspension linkage play, which caused severe misalignment (rear toe out of specification). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This defect created a significant safety risk. The abnormal toe condition caused rapid and uneven tire wear, with both rear tires becoming nearly completely bald within less than 7,000 miles. This condition increases the risk of tire blowout, loss of traction, and potential loss of control at highway speeds. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center (Les Schwab), which documented suspension play in the rear control arm area and alignment out of specification (rear toe approximately +1.20° total). The alignment could not be maintained, indicating an underlying mechanical issue. Tesla inspected the vehicle but stated that no suspension components required replacement and attributed the issue only to alignment. However, alignment does not go out of specification without a mechanical cause. Despite multiple requests, Tesla refused to provide detailed documentation regarding the inspection or repair of the suspension system. They replaced only one rear tire and did not address the root cause. The other rear tire had already worn completely bald. After approximately 5,386 miles, the replacement tire has again worn down close to the minimum safety limit, demonstrating that the underlying issue was not corrected and continues to affect vehicle safety. There were no warning lights or system messages prior to the failure. The first symptoms were abnormal tire wear, increased energy consumption, and unstable driving behavior at highway speeds, which began shortly after vehicle purchase. This appears to be a repeat safety-related defect that has not been properly diagnosed or repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11730973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On March 6, 2026, at 7:15 PM, the rear lower control arm on my 2019 Tesla Model X Raven catastrophically failed while traveling at 55 mph. The suspension component snapped without warning or impact, causing an immediate and dangerous loss of vehicle stability with my children inside. I was forced to perform an emergency stop on the narrow shoulder of US-395, an unlit one-lane highway with a 65-mph speed limit. Because the vehicle was disabled in a remote, dark area, my family was stranded in a hazardous high-speed traffic zone until 10:30 PM waiting for a tow. This failure matches the casting fracture defect described in Tesla Service Bulletin SB-25-31-002. I am reporting this as a severe safety defect that placed my family in a life-threatening situation. There were no warning lights to advise of the failure. Incident details: Mileage at Failure: 76,980 miles Date/Time: March 6, 2026, at approximately 7:15 PM Speed at Failure: 55 mph (Speed Limit: 65 mph) Emergency Pull-over: Yes
NHTSA complaint #11729585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have replaced several sets of tires with this Tesla Model X 2019. After years of dealing with a front end alignment problem, I finally had the repair done with some assistance from Tesla. When I purchased my vehicle under warranty, I reported problems with steering and pulling to one side, but they repeatedly claimed they couldn't replicate. This was before they allowed customers to drive with the repaid team. I mention the front-end problems as that has coupled with the rear tires. Inner wear is a consistent problem. I went to Costco today to have them look at tires I bought in November of 2024 and they said the tire was balding and unrepairable. In fact the tires were showing wear on both sides and needed to be replaced. A full set costs $1400.00+ and this is the second time I'm having to replace tires for wearing out quickly. There's a fix online from a company "N2itive". On their website they state, "The N2ITIVE SX-2 adjustable rear camber arms are designed to address the common inner tire wear issues that plague the Tesla Model S and X. These arms are available in the Red and Natural Anodized finishes with a 3-Year Warranty or the Black Anodized finish with Lifetime Warranty and work best when used in conjunction with our TSX-2 Toe Arms." External companies are standing up lines of business based on Tesla's failures. This is a problem and someone is going to get hurt, or worse.
NHTSA complaint #11728414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am submitting information regarding repair access and repair estimate concerns involving a Tesla vehicle after a collision. During an insurance claim handled by Tesla Insurance Company, a repair estimate from a Tesla-preferred repair facility was used to declare the vehicle a total loss. However, a manufacturer-owned repair facility estimate would be significantly lower and could make the vehicle repairable. When I attempted to obtain an inspection and estimate from a Tesla manufacturer repair facility, the appointment was cancelled after communication between the insurance company and the repair facility. This prevented me from obtaining a competing repair estimate. Because Tesla operates the vehicle manufacturing, repair network, and insurance services within the same ecosystem, I am submitting this information for review regarding potential impacts on repair access, repairability, and consumer choice.
NHTSA complaint #11722287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2019 Tesla Model X VIN: [XXX] Component: Suspension/Steering/Drivetrain Defect Description: Three concurrent Technical Service Bulletin failures: 1. TSB SB-21-39-001: Front drive unit halfshafts premature failure (manufacturing defect, pre-May 2019 builds) 2. TSB SB-20-32-004: Steering intermediate shaft corrosion due to inadequate road contaminant protection (design defect) 3. Ball joint/control arm water ingress from inadequate sealing (design defect) All three TSBs failing simultaneously at 177K miles. Vehicle purchased April 2019, within affected population for all TSBs. Tesla issued technical bulletins acknowledging these as defects but requires customers to pay full repair cost ($6,337). Local service management admitted not reading TSBs when reviewing goodwill request. After escalation, received 32% cost-sharing. Three concurrent TSB failures suggest systemic design/manufacturing issues warranting recall consideration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11721870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a catastrophic suspension failure resulting in complete wheel separation on my 2023 Tesla Model X Plaid shortly after Tesla service. While driving, the front left wheel separated from the hub, rendering the vehicle not drivable and creating an immediate risk of loss of control, collision, and serious injury or death. Tesla towed the vehicle back to its service center and issued written service documentation stating (verbatim): “The front left wheel had separated from the hub. The issue was caused by missing hardware on the upper control arm, leading to further damage.” Tesla did not attribute the failure to impact, road debris, wear, or misuse. The missing hardware was at a critical suspension attachment point. As a result, Tesla replaced multiple major safety-critical components under Goodwill / Internal Service, including the front left active damper/air spring, upper control arm bracket, halfshaft, wheel speed sensor, and multiple structural fasteners. A wheel-off event caused by missing suspension hardware represents a severe safety defect with high risk of catastrophic injury or fatality. This incident raises serious concerns about suspension assembly, post-service quality control, and whether other vehicles may be operating with missing or unsecured hardware. I respectfully request NHTSA review this as a suspension/wheel retention safety defect and evaluate whether additional investigation or corrective action is warranted.
NHTSA complaint #11712088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2020 Tesla Model X experiences severe vibration, shaking, and rattling during acceleration, especially between about 20–45 mph and at higher suspension settings. The vibration is strong enough to affect steering stability and safe control of the vehicle during acceleration and lane changes. Tesla has already replaced the front half-shafts twice under warranty for this same problem, but the issue has returned again. This is a known defect documented by Tesla in Service Bulletin SB-21-39-001, which describes excessive front drive unit half-shaft vibration during acceleration and defines the repair with updated components. The latest revision of this bulletin (R3, dated January 19, 2024) explicitly adds “Customer Pay billing” instructions. Despite this, my local Tesla Service Center in Tempe, AZ (Supervisor: Lewis Holguin) refused to apply the SB-21-39-001 Customer Pay billing and instead charged full retail for the repair. On 11/28/2025, I was billed $1,694.86 out of pocket to replace both front half-shafts again (invoice shows approx. $1,046 in parts and $564 in labor). I have documentation showing that other Tesla customers with the same defect were billed only $350 under SB-21-39-001, which demonstrates that Tesla does apply a discounted bulletin rate in some cases. In my case, they refused to honor it even though this is a repeat failure of the same known defect and the prior warranty repairs did not permanently fix the problem. This is a repeat driveline/suspension defect that affects drivability and safety under acceleration. The shaking and vibration make it difficult to maintain stable vehicle control, especially during highway merging or lane changes. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate recurring front half-shaft failures and vibration/shudder issues on Tesla Model X vehicles and Tesla’s inconsistent handling of this known defect and service bulletin.
NHTSA complaint #11701961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Control arm squeaks. Only way Tesla fixes is to replace. Smoke fix is a 2$ grease application to ball joint but they charge 1500$. I have done it 2 times and now again happened.
NHTSA complaint #11687129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle experienced serious drive control failures on three separate dates: September 21, 2024; October 2, 2024; and July 26, 2025. On each occasion, acceleration was either severely delayed or completely unresponsive, and the vehicle rolled backward when attempting to move forward on an incline. The following warnings appeared on the dashboard: “Stability Control Disabled,” ESC (Electronic Stability Control) warning light, and Air Suspension System warning. These symptoms occurred both while stationary and while driving. The vehicle was brought to Tesla service centers twice—on October 10, 2024, and September 2, 2025. On both occasions, Tesla stated that the issue could not be reproduced and returned the vehicle without performing any repairs. During the second visit, Tesla performed a $275 wheel alignment adjustment. The service report noted that the warning lights “may be restored on next drive.” I was verbally told that adjusting the alignment might help identify the root cause, but Tesla never explained how this adjustment was related to the actual symptoms. After performing the alignment, I was simply notified that the vehicle was ready for pickup. This kind of propulsion failure and rollback on inclines presents a serious safety risk to the driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. The issue remains unresolved and could occur again at any time without warning.
NHTSA complaint #11685764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages “Air Suspension Unable to Raise” and “Functionality May Be Restored on Next Drive” were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #11684935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During a recent inspection, the Tesla service center (at Los Gatos) informed me that my Model X is missing a suspension bolt, and they stated they do not now why and how it's missing. It is a serious safety hazard, as it may affect handling, stability, and safety. They asked me to get it fixed before driving it. They told me that it's not covered by warranty or insurance, but couldn't explain why this happened.
NHTSA complaint #11680635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a safety concern related to the suspension system in my 2017 Tesla Model X. The front tires are rubbing against the wheel arch liner, especially when turning or driving over uneven terrain. I have not made any aftermarket modifications, and the vehicle has been maintained in accordance with Tesla’s recommendations. This issue appears to match the known problem involving front suspension fore link failures documented in NHTSA investigations and prior complaints for 2016–2017 Model X vehicles. While I have not experienced a complete suspension failure, the current symptoms are consistent with reported cases where the fore links weaken or fail, causing the wheel to shift and contact the fender liner, leading to tire damage, unusual noises, and potential safety risks. I have reported this to Tesla, but they have not acknowledged this as a known issue for my VIN. However, NHTSA previously identified over 400 instances of similar failure and recommended that Tesla expand their service bulletin to include more vehicles. This is a critical safety concern as it can lead to premature tire wear, loss of control, and further suspension failure. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether Tesla should issue a recall or cover this repair under a broader service campaign.
NHTSA complaint #11678645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is the THIRD YEAR in a row that the Suspension System on this vehicle has failed. This seems like it should be a basic feature of any vehicle - that it should have proper shocks and suspension. The problem is the repair this time is estimated to be at $4000, when we have already had this repaired twice for several thousands of dollars. We drive this car very gently, so there is not an issue of us abusing the vehicle. Also, in China, Tesla was forced to recall vehicles over this same issue: Tesla recalls nearly 50,000 Model S and X cars in China over faulty suspension We would like to know if any recalls will be issued.
NHTSA complaint #11676502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I would like to report a significant safety concern affecting Tesla Model X vehicles, and potentially Model S as well. Numerous reports across Tesla forums have highlighted persistent issues with unadjustable negative camber, which results in excessive inner tire wear on all four wheels. In some cases, owners have reported needing to replace their tires as early as 5,000 miles. In my own experience, I had to replace mine at just 14,000 miles. Additionally, I’ve experienced repeated failures of the front axle half-shafts on both the left and right sides. The first replacement occurred at 14,000 miles under warranty, and the second at 38,000 miles—this time at my own expense. Independent automotive professionals have pointed out that the angle at which the half-shafts are installed is too steep for optimal performance. The front motor sits significantly higher than the wheels, forcing the half-shafts to transfer power at an extreme downward angle. This off-axis setup, combined with the vehicle’s weight and high torque output, contributes to accelerated wear of internal components within the half-shafts. Over time, this leads to fatigue and surface damage, causing noticeable shuddering or vibrations during acceleration. To resolve this issue, the half-shafts would need to be more closely aligned with the wheels (on-axis) to reduce mechanical strain and eliminate the root cause of the vibrations. I urge Tesla to further investigate and address this recurring issue, as it impacts both vehicle safety and long-term ownership costs. A safety recall should be issued and reimburse out of pocket expensive back to owners.
NHTSA complaint #11675226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tesla Model X are already known to wear out the rear tires on the inside edge due to excessive negative camber, or wheels tilting inwards from the top. Lowering the suspension setting makes the wheels tilt in even further! This causes more the weight of the car to rest on the inner shoulder of the wheel. Driving this way quickly wears down the inside edge of the rear tires which can cause a sudden and unexpected dangerous blowout
NHTSA complaint #11674857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.