Suspension Problems of Tesla Model Y - part 1

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the front driver-side control arm came loose after two bolts fell out. The vehicle had no prior accidents, and the failed area can be inspected if needed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the front driver side of the car suddenly dropped onto the wheel while I was backing into a parking spot. If this had happened at highway speed, it could have caused a very serious accident, loss of control or potential death. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? the problem was confirmed after the vehicle was inspected and the two missing control-arm bolts were identified. The car was not safe to drive after the failure. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? the vehicle was inspected after the incident by a service center or mechanic. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance unless otherwise noted. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? there were no warning lights, messages, or noticeable symptoms before the failure. It happened suddenly while I was backing into a parking spot.

See all problems of the 2023 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2022 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2020 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

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).

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.

A front bar on the lower front left of the car collapsed leaving 2 screws on the groung and steerling wheel not usable.

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?”.

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.

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.

I took my vehicle to Tesla service for battery not charging. Service did a vehicle inspection and noted the following concern: upon vehicle inspection, found front suspension control arms worn and at a charge to me repaired with the below notes. . Repair notes: correction links - lateral - lower - front - pair (remove & replace) - remove and replace also repaired correction links - compliance - lower - front - pair (remove and replace) - remove and replace.

Driver side lower control arm lost two bolts, can not drive.

This issue occurred on August 02, 2026 at around 3pm. I was parked and put my 2023 Tesla Model Y in reverse to give myself enough room to drive forward from being parked on road next to my house. While going into reverse, I heard a really loud bang noise coming from under the front section of the car. I put the car in park and got out to take a look around. At first I thought I had hit something while backing out but did not see any object in the reverse camera. So then I kneeled down and looked under the car and that's when I saw the passenger side front lateral arm of the suspension detached and left hanging down from the wheel. I let Tesla know what occurred using their app to message the company.

I am getting a creaking and clunking sound in my front passenger side suspension. It happens when I turn and go over bumps.

• what the issue intermittent suspension noise/clunking that suggests a possible failing component. • why it’s a safety concern: potential suspension failure could cause loss of control. • what Tesla did: Tesla refused warranty service related to a safety issue involving the suspension because they said they could not hear the noise, despite repeated reports. I asked them to look at the suspension anyway and they refused my warranty service stating that since they could not hear anything they would not inspect and cancelled my appointment. • when it happens: speeds, bumps, turning, acceleration, etc. • frequency: intermittent, constant, worsening. • mileage: approximately 44000. • weather/road conditions: any conditions • whether the vehicle has been repaired or inspected: Tesla refused to inspect my vehicle under warranty for this safety related complaint and said if they can't hear a noise they won't look at it.

See all problems of the 2024 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

Vehicle can become difficult to steer in certain situations.

See all problems of the 2021 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

2023 Tesla Model Y, only 18,270 miles. While driving with my wife and children in the car, the front suspension/axle control arm disconnected from the wheel assembly. A large suspension bolt failed — it came out bent and heavily corroded (photos available). We heard an abnormal noise, then the steering stopped responding and the wheel splayed out of position. We were at low speed and stopped safely. The car was undriveable and had to be towed. The day before, we drove this same car on the highway at 75 mph. Had this failed then, with my family aboard, it would almost certainly have caused a serious or fatal crash. Critically, Tesla had sent us a notice that the vehicle needed service. We scheduled it per their availability for Aug 6 — but the control arm failed before that date. We were never told the car was unsafe to drive. Had we known we were at risk, we would never have driven it with our children. The vehicle was inspected by a Tesla service center. Tesla did not fully cover the repair — I was charged — and the lateral/structural damage from the failure was not fixed. Insurance was used to tow the car (also at our cost). The failed bolt and suspension components are in our possession and available for inspection on request. Cause: unknown — I am not a mechanic — but a bent, corroded suspension bolt and a disconnected control arm on an 18,000-mile vehicle indicate a premature failure of a suspension/axle fastener. I request that the manufacturer and NHTSA inspect the component. This is a serious loss-of-steering hazard.

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.

See all problems of the 2025 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

The control arms are defective on this vehicle for the second time. I began hearing a clunking sound when I would turned the vehicle in July 2026. When the sound got louder and sharp left turns felt less controlled, I took the vehicle to a local independent tire repair shop immediately. They told me the left control arm was cracking badly, so I made an appointment with Tesla. Tesla is currently replacing my control arms for the second time. They also found additional suspension issues with the sway bar links. Previously, I experienced total control arm failure in November 2024 when the vehicle had less than 14,000 miles and was less than a year old. This resulted in the car being towed to the Tesla service center for complete control arm replacement. This jeopardized the safety of both myself and other drivers as I had no control of the vehicle’s steering. In July 2026, when I started to hear the same sounds indicating control arm failure, I brought the vehicle into a repair facility immediately to get it diagnosed to prevent such a dangerous incident from happening to me again. This is a serious defect in the 2023 Model Y, and upon research I discovered there are numerous control arm complaints, making this vehicle defect a hazard to potentially millions of drivers.

While exiting a parking space, I noticed a very obvious clunking sound from the front of the car. As I started driving slowly and moving the steering wheel back and forth, there would be a loud clunk and a bump in the steering wheel when moving it from the right back to center. I drove home 30 miles very carefully and called Tesla when I got there. They set up a tow and fixed the car under warranty. They said bolts had loosened on the front lower lateral link assembly. Safety was at risk due to the possibility of my car falling to the ground and not being able to steer. In the right setting, this could have cause a major accident. I did not receive any warning lamps or any warnings of any kind. There was never a clunk until the bolt was fully out. The car didn't steer or drive any differently either so no way to know something was wrong.

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.

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.

While driving, the front lower suspension lateral link (fore link) completely detached and separated from the subframe. The aluminum arm dropped down, pulling entirely free from its mounting bushing and shredding the plastic underbody aero shield. The failure caused a sudden and immediate loss of wheel alignment and camber control, making the vehicle entirely unsafe to drive and requiring an emergency tow. There was absolutely no impact, collision, or external road hazard that caused this failure; the component separated entirely due to structural or fastener failure.

Power steering is giving difficulty while driving on the highway, stiffens up and hardens and makes it difficult to steer to the left or the right. Took it to the dealer, they confirmed needed a new steering rack, checked online quite some people with the same issue especially with their cars coming from the same year. No warning lamps doesn’t show up on the screen, took to Tesla dealership and they ran a diagnostics and then confirmed.

My 2023 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious front suspension/control-arm fastener failure while I was driving on a road trip from phoenix, az to los angeles, CA. The incident occurred in riverside, CA. The vehicle has approximately 40,000 miles and is still within Tesla’s basic vehicle limited warranty. One front a-arm/control-arm bolt came completely out, and another related front suspension bolt was found loose. The tire and wheel are not damaged and are not flat. The vehicle became unsafe and undrivable. Tesla’s app initially categorized the issue as a flat tire, but this is not a tire issue. It is a front suspension fastener failure that could have caused loss of control, especially at highway speed. I am aware Tesla previously issued service bulletin sb-22-31-002, also associated with NHTSA recall campaign 22v895000, involving certain Model Y vehicles where front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly attached. Tesla reportedly limited that campaign to a small affected population, and my VIN was not included. However, my vehicle appears to have suffered a very similar front suspension fastener failure. I am asking NHTSA to review whether this issue may affect vehicles beyond the originally identified population. Tesla should inspect the front suspension fasteners, control arm/lateral link mounting points, torque condition, threads, steering components, and alignment, and should determine whether the failure was caused by improper torque, defective fastener retention, assembly issue, or another safety defect.

I was driving the vehicle and heard a lot crack and felt the steering wheel unstable. Whenever I would turn the steering wheel the car would make crackling noises and I would feel the car go up as I was driving. When I was turning into my driveway the car felt like the whole left wheel had fallen off, according to my spouse she said the wheel looked like it was folding in as a turn and the car was elevating. We made an appointment with Tesla service senter and we had to get our car towed since it was not drivable. I went to speak with the Tesla agent and they had told me there was wear and tear on both lower front arm links and that they had replaced them. My car has only 19,000 miles so that seemed extremely strange and fast. The following day as I was cleaning my driveway I noticed a big suspension bolt on the ground, I took a picture of the bolt and sent it to my agent and he confirmed it was form the suspension bolt. Something they never mentioned until I found the bolt in my driveway. They repaired the issue according to them, we had no messages or indications of something going on. We also noticed that our wheels were getting worn down unevenly due to this. This is a family vehicle which is concerning that we could’ve had a more serious accident if it would’ve happened at a highway or on a trip.

Steering wheel vibration occurs at highway speeds between 70 and 75 mph on a 2026 Model Y with under 1,000 miles at time of complaint. The vibration was reported to the dealer, who performed a tire balance and alignment check and confirmed both were within specification. The vehicle was tested by the dealer during a service ride-along and no vibration was detected by the technician. However, vibration was independently confirmed by the owner in a same-model loaner vehicle on the same road, suggesting the issue may not be isolated to a single vehicle or tire set. Similar vibration issues have been reported by other owners of the same Model Year in online owner forums, with no documented fix currently available. Safety concern: reduced steering feedback at highway speeds. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request.

2021 Tesla Model Y suffered a complete failure of the front lower lateral links, compliance links, and upper control arms at only 29,103 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. It is currently being repaired at my cost. There was no warning lights or messages. I had noticed a creaking sound upon turning, especially while in reverse. I believe this mirrors the exact mechanical failures seen in NHTSA campaign 21v835000. However, my VIN number was not listed in this recall.

Failure of the front lower lateral link and compliance link assembly. A creaking noise when steering at low speeds prompted me to take the vehicle to be checked out at a Tesla repair shop. The vehicle required a complete replacement of these parts at an independent cost of $1,900. I have the line-item proof of parts and labor.

Clicking noise in rear suspension upon acceleration and assistive braking. First time I brought it in the Tesla service center lubricated the halfshafts. Clicking went away but returned a little over a month later. 2nd time the Tesla service center adjusted torque on suspension. Looking at thread online this seems to be a common issue with older Tesla Model Y. These are not normal maintenance items. I am worried about the safety of the suspension with this vehicle and how long it will be safe to drive before additional fixes, checking proper torque is required.

A day or two before the incident a warning displayed on the computer that was very vague. I didn't notice any issues with the steering or suspension at the time. I believe I scheduled an appointment but it was two weeks out at the Tesla service center. On June 4 as I pulled into my driveway I heard a noise and then struggled to get the car into the driveway completely and avoided the garage altogether. The driveway is fairly flat. In the driveway I found a large bolt that had fallen out of the suspension. The car was undriveable at this point and had to be towed to the service center. The front lower lateral assembly was replaced. If this had happened while driving at any rate of speed I don't know how I would have avoided any obstacles. I have some pictures of the front suspension area but I couldn't tell anything was wrong from them.

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle on the highway at an undisclosed speed, she heard a loud noise and suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the road while the vehicle made a loud squealing noise and swerved simultaneously. The contact stated that her passenger side wheel had came off and a bolt. The vehicle was towed three separate times: first to a nearby parking lot, then to the contact's residence, and finally to the dealership. The vehicle was not officially diagnosed, but the contact noted that the lower suspension component was completely separated from the front passenger side wheel and touching the ground. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,844.

Bolts for front lower lateral links in suspension backed themselves out over time, eventually causing the suspension to suffer a total collapse and trigger a complete loss of steering authority.

I purchased a 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [xxx] ) used directly from Tesla. I am the first retail owner outside of Tesla. I am currently experiencing a knocking noise from the driver side suspension. I have requested that Tesla inspect and complete the following federally mandated safety recalls and service bulletins, none of which appear in my vehicle’s service history: • NHTSA recall 21v-835 / sb-21-31-003 — front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen and separate from the sub-frame, causing instability and crash risk • NHTSA recall 21v-912 — suspension knuckles may fracture • sb-20-31-006 — front upper control arm ball joint reseal Tesla service has refused to perform these repairs free of charge, citing expired warranty (warranty expired April 5, 2025). Tesla’s response does not address that these are federal safety recalls, not warranty repairs. Federal law requires recall repairs to be performed free of charge regardless of warranty status, age, or mileage. Tesla has also failed to provide written documentation confirming whether these recalls were completed prior to selling me the vehicle. Instead, I have been redirected to a self-service VIN lookup tool and a general data privacy request form — neither of which confirms when, where, or whether the recall work was actually performed. I am requesting NHTSA investigate Tesla’s failure to complete these safety recalls prior to selling this vehicle to a retail customer, and their refusal to honor federal recall obligations. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while pulling in and out of a driveway, and while coming to a stop or driving from a stop, the vehicle made an abnormal sound that became louder over time. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driver’s and passenger’s side upper control arms had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

While parking my Tesla in my driveway, I suddenly lost the ability to steer the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, I noticed that the front driver’s side wheel was locked. I looked underneath the vehicle and observed that components of the front suspension had collapsed. The vehicle could not be driven and required towing to a Tesla service center. Tesla repaired the vehicle under the manufacturer’s warranty at no cost to me. Immediately before arriving home, I had been driving on the highway with my children in the vehicle. If this suspension failure had occurred while traveling at highway speed instead of while parking, it could have resulted in a loss of vehicle control and a serious crash. I am submitting this report because I believe this represents a significant safety concern. The Tesla service invoice does not accurately reflect the concern I reported. I did not bring the vehicle in because of a noise or vibration. While parking in my driveway, I suddenly lost steering, the driver’s front wheel locked, and the front suspension collapsed, leaving the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to Tesla. Tesla replaced multiple front suspension components under warranty, including both front lower compliance links, both front lower lateral links, and the left front halfshaft. The attached photos show the vehicle before it was towed. I suddenly lost steering while parking, the driver’s front wheel locked, and the vehicle became undrivable. Although the Tesla invoice lists the concern as “noise or vibration,” the vehicle was actually towed because of this suspension failure.