Tesla Model S knocking problems

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Suspension · CA

I own a 2013 Tesla Model S. While investigating a knocking noise from the rear of the vehicle, I had a local shop disassemble the affected area and we discovered a crack in the rear subframe near a weld and mounting bracket. The fracture appears clean, with little or no visible corrosion. No previous repairs have been performed in the affected area. Given the location of the failure and the structural function of the component, I request an engineering review to determine the likely failure mechanism and whether similar failures have been documented on early Model S vehicles. My research shows the same failure in the federal safety agency complaint XXX. Other local shops also describe the same subframe failure on this Model and manufacturing year. Please advise whether any applicable service campaigns, revised replacement components, or goodwill repair assistance are available. I am attaching photographs. My vehicle VIN is [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 13, 2024 · Suspension · TX

After getting new tires installed at Walmart I heard a loud knocking noise when turning the steering wheel. The Walmart tech thought that it was because the tires were too big/wide. Tesla said they probably forgot to put the car in Jack Mode and the air suspension fully deflated. Once the sir suspension return to normal the knocking noise is still there, although not as loud and not as frequent. Both the Walmart technician and Tesla technician confirmed the noise. Tesla said my front fore and aft links (aka Control Arms) are worn and in need of replacement. I read that this is a common issue and that Tesla has done a lot of repairs both in and out of warranty (Some goodwill repairs). [XXX] technician talks as if the parts are wear items. I asked why they don't have them in the service manual and I wasn't given a good answer. The technician said that the bushings and ball bearings are wear items and that the fore and aft links get replaced along with them. I was given an estimate of $2,330.69 for the repair. Attached is the invoice. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 13, 2024 · Suspension · CA

While backing out of a parking spot, I turned my wheels and went over a small depression in the drive for drainage. As my front tires went through the dip I heard a loud clank like something had broken. Then every bump I went over there was a knocking near the driver's side front tire. I took it in to Tesla and the service agent knew exactly right away what had happened because he said he has seen the same exact thing several times before. They explained that it was unsafe to drive and needed to be fix it immediately. When given the estimate they said only the driver's side Fore Link assembly broke but would need to replace both sides. I got a bill for $2150.61.

Filed Nov 8, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · OR

I was driving my car around town and heard a slight knocking sound. It didn't seem to be a significant issue. Within a few hours, the knocking turned into a grinding sound. It seemed like the wheel was getting stuck in the wheel well. It didn't appear to be a significant issue, so I drove the car home. There were also no warning lights or indicators. As I drove home, the problem got worse and worse to the point where I was concerned about not being safe, but also didn't want to tow my car for a short distance. When I got home, I removed the tire and discovered that the fore beam on the right side had broken and was no longer connected to the wheel. Further research has shown that this is a known issue and there was a recall for the same issue in China. Tesla states that this happens due to driver abuse and bad roads. I can assure you that this isn't the issue in this case. When I brought it to the shop, Tesla insisted on replacing both sides, which indicates a concern for this to happen again. I have requested the broken part to be returned to me so I can inspect what happened.

Filed Sep 6, 2021 · Suspension · OR

Suspension keeps making noises such as knocking roughly in both front wheels. Feels week and in high speeds it might get broken causing loss of control. Took it to service they will charge me even with the repair bulletin I found in the federal safety agency. Correction: Four Wheel Alignment (Air Suspension) (Adjust Camber Caster Toe) Correction: Links - Front Suspension - Lower - Aft - LH/RH (Remove & Replace)

Filed Aug 6, 2021 · Transmission · 78,523 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle started losing motive power. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact called the roadside assistance and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The local dealer inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a rear drive unit malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,523.

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · CA

While driving , and all at a sudden i heard a boom knock coming from the back near the rear drive unit area, brought it to Tesla service center. They diagnosed it as a cracked subframe which let the drive unit attachment loose from one it's anchor point. The cost of repair is $3,447.95. Upon further review, i've seen numerous reports about the same incidents specially for Tesla Model S between 2013 and 2014. In numerous incidents, Tesla has replaced the subframe at will while out of warranty. Requested the same but it was denied. This happened all at a sudden and without any warning. Upon further review, I've noticed that Tesla have upgraded the subframe part number from REAR SUBFRAME ASSY(6007012-00-E) to REAR SUBFRAME ASSY(6007012-00-L). Reference is Tesla online part catalog search by model / year Possibly to address that issue.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Suspension · IL

Front suspension makes a knocking noise going 30 MPH or slower on small bumps in the road, tesla replaced front struts under warranty in may of 2020, is little better but the knocking is still there

Filed Nov 21, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 28,000 miles · SC

Tesla model s 2015 90d. I have a service appointment come november 30th 2020 for this but I have had multiple occurrences of the main panel and side panel display go completely crash and black screen on me. Disabling both the "autopilot" v1 feature in mid use on a highway going 60+ MPH, GPS and other important assistant information such as vehicle speed etc(because screens are black). Its a very jarring and dangerous experience going fast on the highway and having the car "crash" in such a way that just gas and breaking are all that are suddenly left working in an instance(especially when you have that auto pilot feature engaged on a turn). I strongly recommend the federal safety agency to continue their investigation towards this as there are likely serious flaws with the emmc system and software these early model s cars released with. I am afraid tesla is going to give me the run around and not handle the situation appropriately, which would generally be a consumer recall when events as dangerous as this occur. I would say these full system crashes have occurred at least 5+ times since I have owned the car in 2015 and it seems like a matter of time before a serious crash could be caused by this faulty engineering . Tesla currently is trying to do as much damage control around it offering to look into a replacement part but no guarantees its covered by their warranty. As a software engineer myself it feels very much like when hardware starts to go bad, like a system internals beginning to fail due to corrupt memory and storage. These early tesla model s'es are a ticking time bomb to public roads(I say this as a tesla fan, when working the cars are incredible to drive, when they dysfunction its a very serious problem because of the nature of these software driven vehicles their hardware/software has to be rock solid).

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Suspension · 115,230 miles · CA

I was backing out of my in-laws parking space. I had the wheel turned and as I went over a small dip I heard a loud clunk. It sounded like something broke somewhere on the drivers side front end. I drove it home and when I would go over some bumps I could a knocking / clunking sound, like something was hitting together but only on the bumps. I brought my car into the tesla service center. I describe what happened and they said that this was a common thing. I commute 100 miles on the highway everyday to work so I have 115, 000 miles and my warranty has expired. Tesla sent me as estimate for the work and it was $2150.67. When looking at it I noticed that they were replacing both the left and right side fore link assembly. I asked them why if it was only the left side (drivers) that broke and tesla said that they can't just replace one side, they need to replace both. I needed my car so I paid the full amount.