2021 Tesla Model 3 suspension problems

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · VA

2021 Tesla Model 3 with approximately 110,000 miles. Loud creaking/squeaking noise from the front suspension (primarily passenger side) when driving at low speeds over bumps and during slow turns. The noise matches the known front upper control arm ball joint water intrusion issue documented in Tesla service bulletin SB-20-31-006 and widely reported by other Model 3 owners. No warning lights, messages, or other symptoms. The component is available for inspection. I have scheduled a service appointment with Tesla but the vehicle has not yet been inspected or repaired by the manufacturer or any independent shop. While currently only a noise (NVH) issue, progressive wear of this ball joint can lead to play in the suspension, uneven tire wear, degraded steering feel, and potential loss of control if the joint fails.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Suspension · NY

The owner reported a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center in [XXX], where it was diagnosed on XXX, at 47,821 miles. Diagnosis found the front suspension required replacement of the front lower lateral links (left and right), the front lower compliance links (pair), and both front upper control arms. The repair was performed onXXX. The owner paid $2,035.20 because Tesla said the basic warranty had expired by time on XXX, although the vehicle was under the 50,000-mile limit. There was no crash, no fire, and no injury. The concern is premature failure/wear of the complete front suspension link set at under 50,000 miles. These suspension links are safety-critical components affecting steering and vehicle control, and failure or detachment could affect handling. The problem was confirmed and repaired by the Tesla service center. The symptom prior to repair was the grinding noise from the front; no warning lamps are known. Whether the replaced components are available for inspection is UNKNOWN. The failed components are the same front suspension lateral links addressed by the federal safety agency recall 21V835 (this vehicle was checked and is NOT in that recall population) and the front lower lateral link detachment under the federal safety agency investigation PE26006. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Suspension · NE

The front suspension became loose and produced a clunk while driving. The vehicle was taken in the same day. Two independent shops examined it and neither could perform the repair. One reported that a nut for the lower suspension link fasteners was still loose inside the vehicle structure and could be heard moving, and that the cause was unknown. The vehicle was then taken to a manufacturer service center. Its printed factory invoice diagnosed that the captive nuts for the lower subframe links had failed. The front subframe, both front lower lateral links, the front lower compliance link assemblies and the front aero shield were replaced, followed by a four-wheel alignment and a post-repair test drive. There was no collision, no impact damage and no tampering. The failure occurred at approximately 41,766 miles. SAFETY RISK: the lower lateral and compliance links locate the front wheels. Fasteners securing them backing out or failing can allow a link to separate from the subframe, shifting alignment and affecting steering control. This vehicle is driven regularly at highway speed, often with driver assistance engaged, and by more than one driver in the household. A separation at speed could have caused a loss of control. WARNING SYMPTOMS: an audible clunk from the front suspension and a loose-feeling front end, first noticed shortly before the vehicle was taken in. No warning lamp or message appeared. CONFIRMATION: the failure was diagnosed and repaired by the manufacturer's own service center, and the diagnosis appears as printed text on the factory repair invoice, which is available. The replaced parts may no longer be available for inspection. This vehicle has no open or completed suspension recall. Existing recall campaigns covering front suspension lateral link fasteners on this model did not include it. The repair was paid out of pocket.

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Suspension · TX

My 2021 Tesla Model 3 with approximately 70,000 miles developed front suspension problems. It began with squeaking, creaking and groaning, similar to a rusty playground swing, especially while turning or when the suspension moved. The noise was worse in hot weather and progressively became extremely loud and constant during normal driving. I also began hearing intermittent knocking/"bonking" or clunking. I could even hear the suspension when the vehicle compressed as I sat in the driver's seat. There were no warning lights or messages. Tesla inspected the vehicle and diagnosed both front lower lateral links and both front lower compliance links as needing replacement, along with an alignment. Tesla estimated approximately $1,960. CPR EV Repair replaced the diagnosed lower suspension components. After removal, the bushings showed significant visible deterioration, including cracked, torn and separated rubber around the inner sleeves. CPR EV also advised that the front upper control arms were worn and would need replacement. I was concerned for my safety because failure or separation of a deteriorated front suspension component while driving could affect steering or vehicle stability and potentially cause loss of control. Although I did not experience a complete separation or crash, the rapidly worsening and eventually constant symptoms made me concerned about continuing to drive. I have Tesla's estimate, CPR EV documentation and photographs of the deteriorated components after removal.

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Suspension · FL

my 2021 tesla model 3 required replacement of both front upper control arms due to premature wear. the vehicle developed suspension noise, and an inspection determined both upper control arm assemblies with ball joints needed replacement. the repair cost was $1,845, including a wheel alignment. i am aware of numerous similar owner reports involving premature front suspension component failures in tesla model 3 vehicles and am submitting this complaint because i believe this may represent a broader safety-related issue.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Suspension · CA

Needs whole suspensions system fixed and is only 4 years old. Was told by the service center employee that other customers with the same year and model have had the same issue. Suspension has been noticeably affected for the past year (uneven tire wear so I had to get new tires and a bumpier ride), but just took it in today and had it officially diagnosed.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Suspension · NY

My car experienced a problem with the control arms and based on my research this is a known problem with Tesla Model 3 yet a recall hasn’t been issued

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · PA

While driving, I started to hear a creaking sound while backing up and turning the wheel left. The sound became worse over the course of a few weeks. The steering also felt a little loose. I reached out to the manufacturer for a service appointment, and could only be scheduled about a month out. After a few weeks, while trying to parallel park, the car felt like a tire was stuck, or had a flat. I stopped the car to look at all of the tires and they looked fine. When I returned home, I tried to recreate the issue with my wife moving the car slowly from the driver seat while I looked at the wheels. As she turned and backed up, the creaking sound was very loud, but the tires looked fine. When she put the car in drive and began to pull back into the driveway, I could see the front passenger tire was turned abnormally far to the left, looked like it was leaning, and it was locked (not rolling). Once we had the car in a safe position, I jacked up the car and looked at the passenger control arm to see a bolt completely missing from the front suspension lateral link. The other bolt was 1/2 of the way out and barely holding on. If this had come apart at highway speeds, I am afraid it could have killed or seriously injured my family.

Filed Aug 17, 2024 · Suspension · MI

While getting a routine tire change, my mechanic alerted me to the fact that nuts were missing from the rear suspension on both sides. On one of them, the bolt had nearly slid out as a result, and could have been very dangerous as it did so. The tires had been rotated at this shop prior to this, and they had not noticed it. So the nuts must have loosened enough to fall out between 21,496 miles on 2/15/2023 and 26,278 miles on 6/16/2023. We never noticed anything out of the ordinary with regards to noise, vibration, or handling.

Filed Aug 15, 2024 · Suspension · MA · crash

Without any warning from feel unstable, wobbly, or noisy, my car began pulling hard to the right as I was going straight on a small street. I was going about 10 m-15 miles an hour. My steering wheel did not respond to my efforts to straighten the vehicle and my brakes did not slow the car’s path. I was only stopped by two parked cars on the side of the road that I bounced off of. When I got out, bystanders pointed to the sheared tie rod on the front passenger side. The witnesses stated it was clear from their view that if I had been going faster on a wider street there would have been severe injury Instead of only three cars being damaged. My car was three years old and had passed its annual inspection one week before. The police were called twice but did not come within three hours so the car was towed without a police report.