Car has 38k miles. Front of car started making creaking noises whenever moving. Diagnosed both upper control arms seized. Was told by the technician that Tesla found their error and the new Model Xs do not have this issue. From reading online, this is a VERY common issue for Tesla owners and Tesla is aware.
2017 Tesla Model X: ball joint or control arm failure
14 of the 269 complaints about the 2017 Tesla Model X describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 30,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
The steering has squeaking noise and cause the car every hard to turn. when trying to turning the car, the steering wheel will cause the car go another direction. This issue seems on tesla forums. I replaced control arms in august 2022 and I replaced again in April 2024.
On or about August 27, 2023, I heard a loud noise as I was pulling out of a parking spot with my wheel turned to the left. As I drove away and over bumps, I heard loud metal-to-metal sounds coming from the front of the car. I scheduled an appointment with a Tesla service center and took it to them on September 8th, 2023. They found that a bold had sheared in half on the front stabilizer bar. They said it wasn't a manufacturer defect however I disagreed and requested it to be repaired out of warranty at their expense to make it safe and to put a stronger bolt on this time, but they refused. There were no warning lights before this occurred. I had my attorney send them a letter to persuade them to fix it however they have not responded in two months. The vehicle is a safety risk and I have found that this has occurred to other Tesla Model X owners. There is a class action lawsuit in California and Oregon for Tesla Model S and Model X suspension issues. The same car had premature wear of the upper control arm ball joints and the axle shafts have been replaced twice due to Tesla's admission of bad design and manufacturing. I have safety issues with the Fore Links and Aft Links as well.
Front control arms caused extremely difficult steering. No warning of failure displayed in vehicle. Suddenly noticed difficulty steering with squeaking and clunking noises. Tesla service replaced upper and lower control arms June 2023 and claim it’s a common repair in their vehicles with low miles. This vehicle has 37,100 miles. Sway bar links also repaired May 2022.
Control arm and both front struts failed
Loud creaking noise on the front passenger side. This seems to be a very common model X problem. I was told the front upper control arms need to be replaced. I see absolutely no reason why any of those parts should be failing unless it was faulty parts/engineering.
Whenever I turn the steering wheel, the squeaking noise appear. I contacted the service center, without seeing my car, they know that I have to replace the both side front upper control arms which made me believe there is a well-known defect with it. The control arms plays very important role in steering the car, if there is a defect and Tesla won't recall it then it might kill someone after the driver can't control the car due to the defected upper arm.
The specific issue happen while I was I was pulling out of my driveway. The front passenger side suddenly started squeaking. After getting on the highway and accelerating, the car started shaking, and making louder and louder noises. Inspecting the assembly next to the front passenger side tire, I saw that the control arm assembly was making metal on metal contact and the wheel was not horizontally in place (it wiggles on steering). I took the car to the service center. They confirmed that the control arm assembly is corroded and that the issue could cause an accident if it happens while driving as I could lose steering control.
I'm not from the us, but want to let you know that there are also safety problems with model x cars in europe. My car, a tesla x from april 2017 with 93.682 kilometers driven broke down with a broken suspension part. The wheel was moving for- and backwards compared to the vehicle. Tesla cals the part fore link assy lh (1041570-00-b). When parking the car in reverse, the front a the car came up for 5 centimeters. It happened also driving slowly forward. The big ring on the end of this part (the site that is connected close to the wheel) was completely torn open. Tesla also had to replace the left and right fr susp aft link assy because of "wear and tear". Upper control arm were already replaced in june 2020. Rear motor replaced januari 2018, electronics for opening front doors replaced in march 2020, new power steering april 2020. I like you to invite the also look at suspension safety issues in europe with the model x and s. These issues have nothing to do with road conditions, we have very nice smooth roads here in the netherlands. I made a video of the movement of the front left wheel.
Here is a tesla model x in the junkyard https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/37656941?rownumber=81 aaand..... Pop goes the ball joint! That's it! The top ball joint has fallen to bits again. There is absolutely zero collision damage that would account for the ball joint failing like this. There have been many reports of owners complaining of squeaks caused by lack of lubrication in these ball joints. Eventually the ball wears away until it pops out and then things turn to excrement. If it is not too much trouble for you then would you please be so kind as to demand a recall before more people get slaughtered by these defective contraptions. Thank you so much. Keef.
I believe tesla has designed and installed defective upper control arm, joints, and bushings that do not support the weight of the vehicle. I have experienced a slight gliding of vehicle in addition to creaky and clangy sounds emitting from the front suspension. The gliding occurs during 30-45 MPH, and the noises occur at slow speeds. My vehicle currently has 22k miles on it and have been driven under normal conditions.
Here is a model x in the junkyard. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/35688671/72 the front wheel and suspension have fallen off because the ball joint popped apart allowing the wheel to whomp about and batter the begeezus out of the bodywork. There is no possible excuse for the back wheel going whompy. There is not so much as a scratch on the back end of the car, just the usual whompy wheel. Could you please have your blind guide dog lead you to this vehicle and then have a feel of that back wheel. It's whompy. Dreadfully whompy. If you would kindly arrange for an immediate recall of these dangerous contraptions then I will have no need to keep bothering you. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2017 Tesla Model X ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2017 Tesla Model X?
14 of 269 owner complaints about the 2017 Tesla Model X (5%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Tesla Model X?
There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Tesla Model X
Backup camera 22Screen failure 18Grinding brakes 10Adaptive cruise 9Power steering loss 9Headlights 5Lane assist 5Sudden acceleration 5Wipers 5
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