2020 Tesla Model Y: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Suspension · CA

The vehicle's front upper control arms creak and groan when in motion, audible at very slow speeds, especially when performing a turn (forwards and backwards). Tesla has identified it as the mentioned components, from a test drive with one of their service technicians present. The issue still exists (is not yet repaired) so it is available for further inspection upon request. As this affects steering, it is a major safety risk. Research online reports loss of steering ability, inoperable vehicles, and accidents while driving. Further, this problem has been reported to the federal safety agency and is supposed to be under investigation but no actions forced yet despite numerous reports, online forum complaints, etc. No warning lights or messages are displayed by the vehicle. As per an article reported as recently as August, there is never any vehicle warning lights or dash indicators, it is always discovered by listening to the vehicle and (hopefully) becoming concerned enough to bring the vehicle into Service. [XXX] The article and forum chatter reports this occuring as early as 29k miles onto the vehicle. Mine was at (rough guess) 150k when it started making the noise to indicate it's impending failure. I have driven for almost 30 years and never had an issue with an upper control arm. A 6-yr car should not be having this, and Tesla charging all of us $800 to $1600 for repairs. How is that acceptable when it is a product and part construction issue? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 8, 2026 · Suspension · 48,000 miles · GA

The contact's daughter owns a 2020 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, squeaking sound would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact called the service center where they gave the contact an estimate for a diagnostic. The contact was also informed that the vehicle may be covered under a goodwill warranty. The vehicle several parts of the front control arm were defective and had caused several other defects related to the control arm. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the service center's possession but had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Body, Steering · MN

I would hear squeaking/tearing/rattling noises, this was found to be due to malfunctioning/broken nuts and compliance arms and control arms. This happened three times so far, attached are two repairs that was required previously. Per report with Tesla staff, this has been a recurring issue. Per additional Tesla owners, this has been a frequent issue amongst many different Tesla forums. Now I have to get it repaired for the third time. I bought a used Tesla that was certified by Tesla, problems occured at 37876 miles, but car was bought at 34529 miles.

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Steering · GA

The steering control arms were clicking and making noises when the steering wheel was turned. Reports on Reddit said dozens of people had this problem right before they completely busted and lost control of steering the vehicle. I took mine in to the service center and they acknowledged the problem and charged me over $750 to fix. This is a SAFETY ISSUE and should be recalled and fixed for free. I have owned cars for over 40 years and have NEVER had to replace steering control arms. They installed faulty parts.

Filed May 11, 2024 · Suspension · CA

Front suspension issues with lots of creaking and noise when accelerating and decelerating as well as turning. Tesla had previously greased my upper control arms but this issue is now back, worse than ever

Filed Jan 30, 2024 · Suspension · TX

This is a 2020 Tesla model Y. At 55k miles, 3.5 years of ownership I was alerted by my tire dealer about broken bushings and control arms in both front tires. They mentioned that they see these early failures often in I have a 2020 Tesla model Y. I am a careful, risk averse driver who has used the car just on roads for daily commute. No extraordinary forces or events on the suspensions happened. At the service center, I was informed that this would be due to my driving and that it is not a Tesla quality issue. In the end, all bushings, all 4 front lower control arms and associated compliance links had to be replaced. Given the history of Tesla's suspensions and their failures I do feel that this is a significant quality and a potential safety threat to US customers. There were no warnings or alarms that have alerted me to this problem.

Filed Dec 27, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · VA

This year I was charged $650 to replace both upper control arms, lower suspension links that I now find out was a known quality problem with Tesla. No recalls were issued despite this being a safety concern for drivers since it affects steering. I read that Tesla told service employees to tell customers that they had "abused" their car and that was the reason for the failure. I drive on perfect roads and without any load in the car, so clearly I didn't abuse it. It began with a Creaking sound when making a sharp turn or parking from steering or front suspension They replaced: Replaced LH Front Upper Control Arm. Replaced RH Front Upper Control Arm. Replaced LH compliance Lower Front Suspension Link. Replaced RH Aft Lower Front Suspension Link. NOTE: I tried two different browsers buy your site has a bug that won't allow uploads of documents, so I could not include the receipt. When one clicks on "upload files" the button disappears, and it won't let you upload.

Filed Jun 10, 2023 · Suspension · PA

Vehicle is absolutely destroying tires at an alarming rate (every 10k miles we need new tires). We have had multiple 4 wheel alignments done and verified that the alignment is perfect. Despite this, the front and rear tires wear the inside leading edge down to wire while the outside edge has 80%+ tread remaining. The other issue is the creaking/groaning and premature wear the control arms display. This is a super common issue across all tesla models. This is alarming because the next step after the noise presents itself is total failure of the control arm due to lack of grease which results in the wheel falling off the vehicle. There are no grease fittings on the control arms like the vast majority of other manufacturers vehicles and the bearings and tesla won’t fix this despite knowing it is an issue and having our vehicle multiple times for service for this issue.

Filed Mar 2, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · 1,000 miles · CA · crash

Here is a badly smashed model y in the junkyard. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/39229111?tenant=us&rownumber=21 it is certain that occupants would have been killed or injured. Bearing in mind the numerous model y cars that have been reported to have suspensions snap off for no good reason there is a high probability that this crash was caused by a suspension failure. The broken ball joints, protruding drive shaft and detached wheel point towards this crash being caused by a whompy wheel. Please investigate the circumstances of this crash and obtain data from the black box. Thank you. Keef

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Suspension · 1,000 miles · CA

This is a complaint about systemic failures in tesla suspension components that affect all years and models of teslas on the roads. Please note that I have used the VIN of a random tesla model y since the VIN of the car in question is unavailable. Here is a link to a video in which an owner shows his car broken down on the side of the road because the front control arm has simply fallen off the car. Https://www.tiktok.com/[xxx]/video/6904844653024054533 this failure could easily have caused a fatal crash and it is most likely that the failed control arm would not have been identified as the cause of the crash. Do you really think that this kind of thing is acceptable? Are you just going to let lord elon continue to get away with murder?? Am I really the unhinged one? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 28, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 1,000 miles · CA

The federal safety agency is conducting investigations into tesla suspension breakages. Here is further evidence that the breakages are not restricted to certain models and certain years but are generic to all teslas and caused by low quality suspension and steering components. Here is a model y in the junkyard: 2020 tesla model y long range https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/37686849?rownumber=3 the attached photograph shows that the ball joint connecting the steering rod to the knuckle has snapped in half. There have been numerous failures of tesla ball joints where the stem has snapped and it appears that the steel stem has had a brittle fracture caused by faulty heat treatment and annealing. There is no impact damage that would account for this breakage. It is a material failure indicative of a systemic problem with tesla's suppliers and tesla's quality assurance. This complaint is filed in the interest of public safety. Please take urgent action to prevent further loss of life. Thank you keef

Filed Oct 24, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 1,000 miles · CA

Here is a 2020 model y in the junkyard https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/37686849?rownumber=56 it has been partially disassembled which makes it hard to determine why it ended up being written off. However. The front motor and suspension has been removed as a complete assembly and it is obvious that there has been a suspension and steering failure. Blown up photograph is attached to this submission. The top ball joint has slipped out of its stupidly designed slot. Worst of all the steering arm ball-joint has popped apart. In a virtually new car this is just ludicrous. Is there any point in me continuing to report these defects to the federal safety agency? Should I file my complaints with the chinese safety authorities? They see to be more interested in enforcing vehicle safety regulations than you guys. Have a safe day. Keep a look out for oncoming teslas. Regards your friend keef