2018 Tesla Model X: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 13, 2025 · Suspension · MA

Control arm squeaks. Only way Tesla fixes is to replace. Smoke fix is a 2$ grease application to ball joint but they charge 1500$. I have done it 2 times and now again happened.

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · MA

Initially I noticed an issue with notchy steering, which is typically caused by faulty u-joints in the steering column. I took the vehicle in for service on 2/14/23, and the service center confirmed the issue and replaced the lower steering column. Almost immediately after picking up the vehicle from service, I noticed a loud creaking sound coming from the suspension when the steering wheel was turned. I brought the vehicle back to the service center on 3/29/23, where it was found that both upper control arms were "frozen" and required replacement, the lower aft links had play in them, and the lower fore links had cracked bushings. All front control arms were replaced. Luckily all work was covered for me under warranty, but the vehicle is less than 5 years old and has been driven less than 60,000 miles.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Suspension · TX

When the car turns or goes over bumps, there is a creaking and squeaking sound. TONS of Tesla owners have reported this and it has to do with faulty control arms and boots/ball joints. A good amount of people are experiencing this AFTER their warranties have expired causing us all to have to pay for something that should be covered by a warranty. Engineers have apparently determined that "After numerous evaluations, the development team determined that the Tesla control arm had been designed with insufficient moisture protection. Rain drains directly from the windscreen onto the control arm and penetrates the ball joint, which ultimately leads to the unwelcome, irritating squeaking sound and, in rare cases, can compromise steering precision." https://www.ien.com/product-development/news/22431772/engineers-solve-teslas-squeaking-problem#:~:text=Rain%20drains%20directly%20from%20the,cases%2C%20can%20compromise%20steering%20precision. Tesla apparently issued a repair bulletin in 2021 for this when my car would have still been under warranty. I was never contacted about this. https://driveteslacanada.ca/model-3/tesla-begins-notifying-model-3-owners-to-proactively-address-upper-control-arm-issues/#google_vignette

Filed Oct 15, 2021 · Suspension · NY

The suspension is very loud, and sounds like it is going to break. A Tesla technician who was fixing another issue indicated that it is the Upper Control Arm, which seems to be a constant issue with this car. While we did schedule this to be fixed (for next week - they have estimated the cost of repair is over $1000), I fear that it could be a significant safety issue if there were a failure of the upper control arms. No warning light or any other type of warning occurred, which could lead others to not know they need to get this fixed. Tesla has issued a recall in China for this issue.

Filed Aug 7, 2019 · Suspension · 10,000 miles · CA

This is another complaint about dangerously weak suspension ball joints that are used in all models of tesla cars. Here is a model x with the exact same problem of snapped ball joint stems that was shown in the model 3 complaint I filled an hour ago. Here it is. Https://www.copart.com/lot/43335999/photos photo of busted balls attached. Please issue an immediate recall. Thank you.