Tesla Model S shudder problems

Filed May 12, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · FL

Tesla just sold me a car with defective front half shafts axles. The car makes a reproducible and very concerning accelerator pedal shudder that makes the entire vehicle front vibrate, including the steering wheel and brake pedals while the car is accelerating between 30-60mph. This interferes with safety features like, lane departure assistance and blind spot steering wheel feedback, Confusing the driver and creating a distracting scenario where an accident can happen. Upon bringing this to the attention of the service center in Fort Myers Florida, the service center manager took a drive test with me, and was able to replicate the issue, but immediately started dismissing it as "normal" and within Tesla specs. This is becoming a regular practice at that service center, where they deem warrantable issues as normal and within (their tolerance). I insisted that this issue is not to be taken likely by Tesla, because it is something that involves a safety hazard. Upon further research, I was able to find that this issue is happening to many Teslas model S and X, where the front axles bend due to the weight and high torque of the vehicles. The issue falls completely under warranty and the half shafts should be replaced, but apparently Tesla has instructed their service centers to dismiss and disregard the symptoms, and just tell the customers that no warranty replacement will occur, because it is not necessary, we just have to drive the cars like this, until the car completely fails, or an accident happens because one of the bent axle shafts breaks on a highway during normal drive. I recording this report as evidence that the issue has been reported to the highest vehicle safety authorities, and I expect a corrective action so Tesla can fix my car under the existing unexpired warranty.

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · Transmission · 32,807 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to vibrate in the shutter shaft unit. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with front CV axle failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. On a separate occasion, the vehicle started to shudder, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired for the most recent failure however, the contact stated the vehicle had been repaired three times, for the CV axle failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,807.

Filed Feb 2, 2022 · Suspension · CA

When driving above 45 MPH, there is a shuddering sound that comes from the front left of the car. After taking the car in for service, I was told that "the front AFT and Fore links are bad on the car" and need replacement.

Filed Jan 29, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · TX

Front shaft shudder and vibration at high acceleration and this worst when it normal height or raise height. Design issues. Tesla know this issue for long time.

Filed Nov 1, 2021 · Brakes, Transmission · 20,000 miles · WA · crash

The contact owns a Tesla Model S. The contact stated while parking into a parking space, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently. The contact stated the braking panel button was depressed but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to continue to move forward, hit the sidewall, and inadvertently accelerate on its own crashing into a wall. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated the vehicle was diagnosed however, Tesla had not informed her of the diagnosis. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 37,337 miles · CA

I was braking from about 35 MPH to make a 90 degree right hand turn into driveway. There was a sudden grinding noise and shuddering. I continued to brake and turn until I was safely in the driveway. A quick inspect revealed some damage to the wheel well, but the car seem drive-able, so I very slowly limped into a parking spot. I've read enough posts from other people having this same failure to immediately suspect a suspension failure. When parked it was easy to identify the same failure I've seen all over the internet. Control arm failed, resulting the wheel touching the wheel well as I was braking, burning through to the metal and gouging my wheel.

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Acceleration · 22,500 miles · AZ

I was traveling on a two-lane divided highway when I accelerated to pass a vehicle to my right. As I passed the vehicle and released my foot off the accelerator pedal, my car continued to accelerate at a high rate of speed. Unsure of the reason for this continued acceleration, I put the transmission into neutral and coasted to match the speed of the surrounding traffic. Arriving at the next traffic light, I put the transmission back into drive and the rapid acceleration stopped. I was able to go back to my home and inspect the accelerator pedal and its surroundings. Upon inspecting these, I observed that the driver's side floor mat directly below the accelerator pedal was raised up from its normally flat position on the car floor enough to catch the accelerator pedal and keep it depressed. When I turned over the floor mat, I saw that a circular piece of velcro attached to the underside of the floor mat, had lost its adhesiveness causing it to detach from the floor mat and bunch up under the floor mat below the accelerator pedal. This bunching up was enough to raise the floor mat to a sufficient height to catch the pedal. Had I not kept cool and put the transmission into neutral, I shudder to think of the wreckage and carnage which may have ensued. This car advertises acceleration at a very high rate of speed; 0-60 MPH in a mere 5.5 seconds. That is hardly enough time to react to such a frightening situation! Curious about how other car brands deal with driver's side floor mats, I noticed that most cars driver's side floor mats are safely clear of the accelerator pedals. Not so with my 2016 tesla model s. I believe it to be a major design flaw which should be reviewed expeditiously and corrected by tesla as soon as possible before a tragic outcome ensues. I have removed my driver's side floor mat to prevent such a terrifying scenario from happening again. Thank you

Filed Jan 10, 2020 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · CA

Please note, VIN of a junkyard tesla used to file complaint, this complaint is about a 2016 model s of unknown VIN. Discussion thread of broken suspension fore-link here. Https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/suspension-failure.181184/page-2 owner has now posted images of the broken parts which are attached to this submission. Driver is adamant that he has not abused the car. Snip ** pl view pics. Im not an aggressive driver, have not hit anything perhaps gone into a few country road pot holes but that is not unusual. I don't agree with meloccom about suspension. These items should last cars life not be a fragile item subject to yearly scrutiny. There doesn't appear to much noise in aus about failed suspension. Perhaps tesla have been replacing the parts when they see the cars. It appears to affect cars with awd more than 3 years old. It will most likely present as a crack at the small end of the forearm you will need to remove it to check. If it fails there will be a loud shudder which might shake the bonnet. This is generally observed at low speeds whilst parking and the wheel may hit the wheel arch when you drive off.** the images show that this failure is caused by bad design and manufacture. The same failure has happened on many other teslas and is probably the cause of some fatal crashes. This situation must not be allowed to continue. More people will be killed unnecessaril. Thank you keef wivaneff

Filed Jun 28, 2019 · Suspension · 35,585 miles · FL

Front right fore link failed disabling steering to wheel. Failure occurred while in city driving at medium speed. Symptom was loud noise from front right quarter panel area and shuddering. Car was towed via flatbed trailer to tesla service facility in riviera beach, fl. Service personnel replaced both front fore links along with the right front tire. Work was covered by warranty.

Filed Jun 28, 2017 · Suspension · 2,000 miles · CA

Here is a tesla in the junkyard: https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=25357151&rownumber=7&loadrecent=true it does not appear to have been in a collision, no air-bags have deployed. The front rh steering knuckle has snapped in half. The suspension has collapsed. Many owners are reporting problems with shuddering :https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/6jrdhe/model_sx_rattling_from_front_drive_shaft/?st=j4gmlbjk&sh=2d210fe0 tesla seems to have a culture of denying that there are any faults in these cars and are still using non disclosure agreements that have the effect of discouraging owners from complaining to the authorities. Please investigate.