290 of the 7,374 complaints filed about the Tesla Model Y are about the suspension — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2023.
290
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
17
Crashes
1
Fires
SUSPENSION
I am getting a creaking and clunking sound in my front passenger side suspension. It happens when I turn and go over bumps.
NHTSA complaint #11758656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
In May 2025, my 2021 Tesla Model Y, with approximately 50,600 miles, developed a squeaking/groaning noise from the front suspension, especially while turning. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center because of the noise. Tesla inspected and road-tested the vehicle and confirmed the squeaking/groaning from the front suspension. According to the Tesla service invoice, the noise was caused by worn front suspension components. Tesla replaced both front lower lateral links, both front lower compliance links, and both front upper control arms. Tesla also replaced the associated lateral-link bolts/hardware and performed a four-wheel alignment. There were no warning lights or dashboard messages that I recall. The suspension noise was the symptom that caused me to seek service. The problem was confirmed by Tesla during its inspection and road test. I paid for the repair myself. I am reporting this because I recently learned that NHTSA is investigating front lower lateral-link failures in 2021–2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles under Preliminary Evaluation PE26006. My vehicle is within the model years under investigation, and Tesla replaced both of my front lower lateral links after confirming my front suspension symptoms. I do not know whether my lateral links would have eventually detached if they had not been replaced. The original components were removed by Tesla during the repair and are not available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11758240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
While my wife was driving on a flat straight road, she heard a loud bang noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle made a loud grinding noise. Upon inspection, it was found the bolt securing the front right damper to the suspension had snapped and come loose. The nut fastening the bolt was lost on the roadside.
NHTSA complaint #11757704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Lateral link bolt was broken causing damage to subframe.
NHTSA complaint #11757578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the suspension on the undercarriage of the vehicle was separating from the vehicle. The contact stated that a year prior to the failure, the half shaft used to attach the wheel to the vehicle subframe was fractured and was falling off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery was very heavy and was possibly the cause of the failure. The vehicle was being repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,811.
NHTSA complaint #11757712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
2022 Tesla Model Y - Premature inner rear tire wear due to excessive negative camber from factory. Both rear tires worn to cords on inside edge at 17k miles, outside tread 6/32 still. Alignment specs show rear camber out of spec caused by short factory rear camber arms. This is a known defect, creates blowout risk at highway speed. Vehicle never modified, never in accident. Mileage 113,136. I have photos. Bronx NY.
NHTSA complaint #11757480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Both the right (April 2024) and now left (Aug 2026) upper control arm bolt became loose. The left created damage. Now I routinely check the bolts and now on a check on the right it loosen naturally freely spinning by hand. Caught the right bolt early before damage and serious safety issue. Note this is a wide issue and NHTSA should issue a wider recall as Tesla argues about repairs and doesn’t take this seriously. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Component: Suspension: Front — lower lateral and compliance link assemblies; missing and backed-out lateral-link-to-subframe fasteners; torn bushings Beginning in XXX, the vehicle produced a reproducible knocking noise from the front end when reversing and turning at parking-lot speeds, with no dashboard warnings. Tesla Service ([XXX], invoice XXX) verified the noise and documented on the invoice that the cause was: 1. A front left lateral-link-to-subframe mounting bolt MISSING entirely; 2. A second lateral-link fastener significantly backed out; 3. Torn bushings in both front lower compliance links. The technician replaced both front lower lateral link assemblies and both front lower compliance link assemblies with new hardware (invoice line items: XXX lateral links; XXX and XXX compliance links). Total customer cost for the suspension work: $1,539, out of warranty; goodwill and defect coverage were denied in writing as "wear and tear." A structural fastener missing entirely from a primary front suspension link is not ordinary wear. It is the precursor condition to the lateral-link separation investigated under PE26006, which covers this vehicle by year and model. With one bolt absent and the second backed out at under 30,000 miles, this vehicle was effectively one fastener away from the detachment event the investigation documents. The contemporaneous torn bushings in both compliance links reinforce premature component failure, not age-related degradation. No crash, fire, or injury occurred, and the vehicle remained drivable. However, the failure occurred without warning on a safety-critical steering and suspension load path. Evidence retained by owner and referenced in this complaint: -Pre-repair inspection photographs & post-repair invoice INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I am experiencing a loud, persistent creaking and groaning noise coming from the front suspension of my 2023 Tesla Model Y whenever the vehicle travels over bumps, uneven road surfaces, or during low-speed steering maneuvers.This structural front-end noise raises immediate safety concerns regarding a potential premature failure of critical suspension components, specifically the front lower lateral links or upper control arm ball joints. I am deeply concerned that this component wear could lead to a sudden detachment of the suspension link while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of steering control and an immediate crash hazard.Tesla is aware of widespread suspension issues in these model years, but there is currently no active safety recall to protect owners from catastrophic part failure. I am filing this to urge a mandatory safety recall before a serious failure occurs. I have just over 63,000 miles
NHTSA complaint #11756495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Defect Summary: Front suspension lower lateral link bolt backing out / stripped internal subframe weld-nut threads. Incident Description: While driving, the vehicle developed front-end suspension instability / clunking. Upon inspection by Tesla Service, technicians determined that the lateral link attachment bolt stripped the internal subframe threads, requiring a complete $4,599 subframe assembly replacement. Safety Risk: Lateral link bolt separation causes a complete loss of suspension alignment and wheel control without prior warning or dashboard alerts, creating an immediate crash hazard at highway speeds. Manufacturer Response: The defect manifested immediately prior to logging the ticket at 20 miles past the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty limit). Tesla refused warranty coverage, treating a known structural fastener defect as customer wear-and-tear and demanding $4,599 for subframe replacement.
NHTSA complaint #11756128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
A FRONT BAR ON THE LOWER FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED LEAVING 2 SCREWS ON THE GROUNG AND STEERLING WHEEL NOT USABLE
NHTSA complaint #11756135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
While driving straight ahead in my lane on a wet freeway in an active construction zone, the vehicle abruptly and without warning lost traction and spun out of control. I was traveling in a normal, controlled manner with the flow of traffic and was not turning, braking hard, or making any abrupt maneuver when the loss of control occurred. It was so sudden that I initially believed another vehicle had struck me. I was unable to recover control, and the vehicle left its lane and was involved in a collision that resulted in the vehicle being declared a total loss. This is a nearly new all-wheel-drive vehicle, approximately 17 months old, equipped with electronic stability and traction control. I am an experienced driver with a clean record and had driven this same vehicle through mountain roads the week prior without any issue. A vehicle of this type is not expected to suddenly lose control while traveling straight. The specific component or system that failed is UNKNOWN. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the loss of control. The vehicle data available to me as an owner is limited and does not reflect the full diagnostic logs the manufacturer retains. The vehicle is a total loss but is preserved and available for inspection upon request. The manufacturer has not inspected or responded. A police report was filed.
NHTSA complaint #11756095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
--torn bushings on both the lateral and compliance links --my understand is that torn bushings, if they completely failed, could cause a wheel to lose its rigid control causing the control arm to shift wildly, causing severe steering wander, loud clunking noises over bumps, unstable braking, and rapid, uneven tire wear. In worst-case scenarios, it can lead to a sudden loss of vehicle control and at worst cause an accident --also, this can also cause alignment issues and excessive tire wear--in my case, the torn bushings caused the front tires to chunk --three dealerships, including Tesla, confirmed the issue, including that it likely impacted the alignment and tires --the earliest symptoms were uneven tire wear: 1) all four tires from my first set were chunking and had to be replaced; 2) the front two exhibited the same chunking and have yet to be replaced
NHTSA complaint #11755808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I experienced issues with the handling and suspension of this vehicle beginning in September 2024. I made an appointment and took it to Tesla in October 2024 at 10,484 miles, and the Tesla service center refused to look at the suspension because they were “unable to replicate” the crunching noise I was hearing on their test drive. In November 2024, I had a total control arm failure resulting in the vehicle needing to be towed to the Tesla service center. The repair was a retorque, but I still experienced issues I was told were “normal” because of the vehicle’s weight. The issue became worse in July 2026. Please see August 2026 invoice for very concerning notes regarding the vehicles state after Tesla told me it was “normal.” Invoice indicates “The right hand lateral link bolt was held by a few threads and the top nut was no longer welded on the subframe.” This could have caused a deadly accident when steering at highway speeds, but Tesla said the noises I was hearing when turning were normal. I urge NHTSA to investigate this as it seems to be a common issue with 2020-2023 Model Y’s suspensions. How many others have been turned away by Tesla because they were unable to replicate an intermittent sound that they deemed as “normal” that could ultimately lead to essential components being held onto by “a few threads?”
NHTSA complaint #11755748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I am reporting a serious safety issue involving severe, difficult-to-detect inner-edge tire wear on my Tesla that resulted in a tire failure on Highway 101. The tire failed while I was driving on the highway, creating a dangerous situation and significant traffic disruption. After the failure, I discovered severe wear concentrated on the INSIDE edge of the tire. The concerning part is that the normally visible tread appeared serviceable. An owner can therefore believe the tire is safe while the difficult-to-see inner portion may be dangerously worn. I am concerned that Tesla’s suspension/alignment geometry, including camber/toe settings, vehicle weight, or related components may contribute to excessive inner-edge tire wear. NHTSA should investigate whether this is occurring on other Tesla vehicles and whether owners are being adequately warned to inspect the entire tire, particularly the hidden inner shoulder. I also experienced a very concerning mileage discrepancy. My vehicle showed approximately 36,000 miles before traveling to Tesla for service. During the trip to the dealership, the mileage associated with my vehicle appeared to increase to approximately 56,000 miles. Tesla subsequently referenced the higher mileage in connection with service/maintenance coverage. I request that NHTSA investigate whether Tesla vehicles have a pattern of excessive hidden inner-tire wear capable of causing sudden tire failures; whether suspension, alignment, camber, toe, vehicle weight, or related components contribute to this condition; whether Tesla has received similar complaints; and whether owners are adequately warned about this difficult-to-see wear. I also request review of the approximately 20,000-mile mileage discrepancy and whether the mileage Tesla relied upon accurately represented my vehicle’s actual accumulated mileage. I have video evidence and can provide photographs, Tesla service records, mileage information, and other documentation.
NHTSA complaint #11755625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Yesterday, my Tesla Model Y 2022 suffered a catastrophic failure. The front lower forward control arm completely detached from the subframe due to a missing/fallen-out factory bolt. For the past couple weeks leading upto last night's incident, I've been hearing a "small thump/thud" sound whenever i accelerate the vehicle. I reported this issue to Tesla and arranged a service appointment for coming Wed Aug 12 2026 but unfortunately the catastrophic failure occured last night 5 days before the scheduled service appointment.
NHTSA complaint #11755611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Tesla was in FSD and had the latest software update installed on 8/6/28 which included the new FSD version released. On 8/7/28 on the way to work that my wife takes every time she goes to work the FSD ran over a large pot hole which it had never done before on the previous FSD version. The car started having rattling of the steering wheel and a rattling noise from over the rear driver wheel area. The next available Tesla service appointment was on 8/27 but we walked in and Tesla offered to do an alignment and found that the driver front and rear rims were bent from the pothole and we had to be pay close to 1800$. Thereafter, the rattling over the rear wheel well is louder but Tesla has not accommodated us with an earlier service appointment and refused to make any accommodations for the FSD update resulting in this damage.
NHTSA complaint #11755680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Front suspension makes creaking noises for a few months now. The car only makes noises when steering wheel is turned while reversing and sometimes when turning. Took the car to Tesla and they told me since the sound is not that loud and not really reproducible, then to bring it back when it gets worse. My car only has 34k miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11755436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
During normal driving on roadway the vehicle pulled to the left and driver was not able to steer right to avoid travelling into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle from opposing traffic. The vehicle gave no notice prior and was not in automatic mode.
NHTSA complaint #11755538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Noises started coming from suspension and I had an independent shop verify the issue. The lower control arm had separated from bushing and rubbing against subframe.
NHTSA complaint #11755186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.