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.
2014 Tesla Model S suspension complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 90, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
This is a follow up to my last two complaints of sudden swerves that are probably causd by suspension failure. It is in my opinion highly probable that the suspension is likely to snap when brakes are suddenly slammed on hard at speed. This is known as Tesla "Phantom Braking" and you have hundreds of complaints about this on file. This situation is extremely dangerous. Not only might a Tesla that Phantom Brakes be run over by a following truck but if the suspension snaps it can cause the Tesla to veer into the oncoming lane with fatal results. As a precautionary measure I believe you should immediately ban Tesla adaptive cruise control and autopilot because these are the reason that phantom braking occurs. People are getting killed almost daily. Please stop this deadly experiment. Here is a near miss event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTk_T4olbws&lc=UgyIL5XI31XvUg7cg_F4AaABAg
This is a follow up report on the issue of sudden swerves by Teslas that have often proved fatal. Please note that I have used a random VIN since the VIN of the car in the crash is unknown. Also please not that as a non US resident I have had to use a dummy US address to enable the report. My true contact details are supplied. Here is a video taken by dashcam showing a Tesla ( actual year and model unknown) making a sudden violent swerve to the left and then back to the right and colliding with other vehicles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTk_T4olbws Sudden suspension breakages are happening to all years and models of Telsas. The quality of parts is not good and Tesla does not follow up on the causes of these failures. I beg of you to take action before more tragic crashes occur. They are crashes, not accidents. There is nothing accidental about weak suspensions snapping on the highway.
Please note that this complaint is about a fatal crash involving a 2014 Tesla Model S but because I do not know the VIN I have used the VIN of a wrecked car in a junkyard. Please also note that I have supplied my full name and contact details in this submission but I have used a dummy USA address to satisfy your website requirements. I have been informed that is OK for a non-Tesla owner and a non-US resident to file a complaint particularly when it is regarding a defect that is a danger to the public. There has been a quadruple fatality crash today in which a Tesla veered into the front of an oncoming semi. https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/08/15/four-killed-when-tesla-and-big-rig-collide-near-hollister/ The 2014 Tesla predates Autopilot so it is almost certain that this sudden swerve into the truck was caused by a mechanical failure, Teslas have been suddenly swerving since the Tesla was first released. There is sufficient evidence from the actual owners complaints that are listed on the federal safety agency database. Additionally my Flickr Album shows multiple examples of broken suspensions and also a report from an employee of a cast alloy suspension part supplier who reports that proper quality procedures were not followed. https://www.flickr.com/photos/136377865@N05/albums/72157658490111523
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.
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.
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.
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.
Because the computer in the tesla model s from 2014 was broken, the car was very low in suspension. Tesla knew about it in may 2020, but did not offer a repair even if I paid $2,500. Eventually the frame of the car touched the rear passenger side and the tire exploded and the wheel was so low that is bent the frame and big pieces of the frame of the car as the base of the car was touching the street. The car was deemed a total and my compensation from aaa did not even allow me to buy a used model s. The car at the time was in motion on the 380 freeway and I had to drive several yards to get to safety running on the frame of the wheel with the base of the case touching the road.
This is another complaint about tesla suspension breakages which are the subject of an investigation by the federal safety agency. 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
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
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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
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
I would like to provide information regarding 2 preliminary evaluations in 2020 that the federal safety agency has opened for a tesla vehicle. 1.the expanded probe june over touchscreen failures. 2.2015-2017 model s and 2016-2017 model x vehicles regarding failure of left or right front suspension fore links. I would like to point out that although the federal safety agency is used to dealing with "model year" vehicles, it is well known that tesla does not follow the calendar year models like over manufacturers. They introduce new features, fixes, modifications in real-time. I wanted to let you know this as your evaluations maybe should not be cut to the calendar year and possibly gain information on the time when tesla implemented a change to the production. I am including two invoices that I have had to pay this year and here are some concerns. 1. April2020 - mcu replacement. My replaced mcu is still exhibiting the same issues where I can have no rear camera, no blinking sound, extreme delays in the touchscreen, random reboots. I am currently providing evidence to tesla in order for them to fix under warranty. The onis is on me however it seems. Tesla's own recall for this issue has a limit of 8 years or 100,000 miles. This is not covering the fact that it is older vehicles that exhibit this issue. This is a defect which has been proven by independent post-tesla service personnel which I can provide you direction to review that info. My point here is please do not let them get away with providing a half-solved solution. The mcu in question is using non-commercial grade emm memory. 2. November2020 - failure of the left or right front suspension fore links. After a visit to a local service station, they mentioned there is a problem. Attached is the invoice from tesla replacing the fore links mentioned here. In summary, my car was made in the u.s. I hope you will hold tesla accountable.
My 2014 tesla only 11k miles. When the mileage was around 5k, I have to bring the car back to tesla for service the suspension system was at fault that car could not be raised at some speed bump, as a result the bottom of the car hit the speed bump. I consider it is a safety issue because the battery is installed underneath the car which could cause fire if the battery hot hit and raptured.
I was backing out of a parking space and the control arm completely sheered off of my front, driver side suspension. My wheel went into the wheel well. I was so worried that it could have happened while I was on the highway.
Broken front coil springs occurred while vehicle was sitting in the driveway. It appears the driver and passenger side failed at the same time. Tire came in contact with wheel liner. No previous indication of a problem before failure steering universal joint went over time where the steering wheel would have to be turned with force when coming out of a turn.
My vehicle has less than 60k miles on it. After an unrelated service incident, tesla informed me that I need to replace my front suspension due to "wear and tear" and that it is not covered under standard warranty, even though it is a safety issue. No issues with my rear suspension. This issue was found when I was pulling out of the parking spot at less than 5mph at the tesla service center. Multiple experts have confirmed that 60k is too soon for a suspension to fail and that this is the sign of a manufacturer issue. There are many similar cases logged online by other model s owners, where tesla summarily ruled that the failed suspensions were because of normal wear and tear. Tesla is charging $2,143.30 for this repair, although my vehicle is fully under warranty.
Front sway bar link faulty, rattling noise
Right front upper control arm of suspension found to be faulty, during inspection for rattling noise. Same car recalled in china for this issue
Here is a 2014 tesla model s in the junkyard. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/34094495?rownumber=64 it has done nearly 100,000 miles and the owner probably thought that nothing could possibly go wro.... But it did. The front wheel is jammed back in the well and rubbing against the bodywork. This is a sure sign of a busted lower forelink. Any of you folks at the federal safety agency interested in this? Should I report it to the vehicle safety authorities in china instead? Have a nice relaxing day. Your friend keef
The center screen turned off, and the climate control system, traction control, steering control, and most others systems could no longer be changed from what appears to be random settings. I believe this is referred to as either the emmc or mcu failure. Tesla's roadside assistance would not tow the car and told me to drive it to the service center. The service center says the repair is not covered by the 8 year unlimited mile warranty because the drive train is not affected however you cannot control the drive train or suspension system without the center screen. Tesla wants $1400 to replace the mcu with one they admit will eventually fail.
Here is a tesla in the junkyard. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/35884294?rownumber=4 the back wheel has gone whompy. The tread on that tire is completely gouged away. This means that the owner drove for some distance unaware that the suspension had collapsed ( possibly caused by a failing mcu which controls the suspension height among other things). Finally the wheel went whompy and things turned bad. Real bad.. Please recall these deadly defective juggernauts. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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