2022 Tesla Model Y: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Suspension · CA

I brought my Tesla Model Y to a Tesla Service Center after noticing an abnormal noise while steering the vehicle at low speeds. During the inspection, Tesla technicians discovered significant damage to the front suspension components. The driver's-side lower control arm bushing had cracked and shifted substantially out of position, with the bushing pushed outward toward the driver side of the vehicle. The lower control arm bushing on the opposite side was also found to be severely cracked. Due to the extent of the damage, both lower control arms and both upper control arms required replacement. The suspension failure also caused severe damage and abnormal wear to the driver's-side front tire, which resulted in the replacement of all four tires. This condition involved critical steering and suspension components and raises serious safety concerns regarding vehicle handling, suspension durability, tire wear, and the potential for loss of vehicle control. The severity of the component failures was discovered only after the vehicle was inspected for the steering noise. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this may represent a safety-related defect that could affect other Tesla Model Y vehicles.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Suspension · OR

After only 34,306 miles, the front lower forward suspension control arms (left and right) and front lower rearward csuspension control arms and ball joints need to be replaced. I discovered this when having the tires replaced. This seems to be a common issue with this model, but failure of these parts is very premature. There was no accident or incident, but the replacement of these parts is critical to the safety of the vehicle.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Suspension · PA

Every little bump or weight shift my car makes, the rear suspension makes a creeping slide. I've already had to replace control arms in tube front suspension for a loud clunking noise

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Suspension · CA

--torn bushings on both the lateral and compliance links --my understand is that torn bushings, if they completely failed, could cause a wheel to lose its rigid control causing the control arm to shift wildly, causing severe steering wander, loud clunking noises over bumps, unstable braking, and rapid, uneven tire wear. In worst-case scenarios, it can lead to a sudden loss of vehicle control and at worst cause an accident --also, this can also cause alignment issues and excessive tire wear--in my case, the torn bushings caused the front tires to chunk --three dealerships, including Tesla, confirmed the issue, including that it likely impacted the alignment and tires --the earliest symptoms were uneven tire wear: 1) all four tires from my first set were chunking and had to be replaced; 2) the front two exhibited the same chunking and have yet to be replaced

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Suspension · FL

I took my Vehicle to Tesla service for battery not charging. Service did a vehicle inspection and noted the following Concern: Upon Vehicle inspection, Found front suspension control arms worn and at a charge to me repaired with the below notes.. Repair Notes: Correction Links - Lateral - Lower - Front - Pair (Remove & Replace) - Remove and Replace ALSO repaired Correction Links - Compliance - Lower - Front - Pair (Remove and Replace) - Remove and Replace

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while pulling in and out of a driveway, and while coming to a stop or driving from a stop, the vehicle made an abnormal sound that became louder over time. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driver’s and passenger’s side upper control arms had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Suspension · TX

The front driver-side lower control arm bolt completely fell off the vehicle while in motion at 5pm in a parking lot. The failure caused the front suspension to immediately collapse, resulting in the front driver side of the vehicle dropping and resting directly on the wheel. The failure was witnessed and confirmed by the roadside assistance tow truck operator. The operator had to temporarily jack up the car and fasten the bolt back into the control arm just to safely load the vehicle onto the tow truck. The vehicle is currently awaiting formal inspection and repair by an auto repair shop. The vehicle and the detached bolt were inspected at the scene by the tow truck operator dispatched through my auto insurance. An initial claim was reported to my auto insurance provider. It has not yet been inspected by Tesla yet. There were no warning lamps, error messages, or prior symptoms. The failure happened suddenly and without warning; I simply heard a loud noise, felt the vehicle physically shift and drop to the ground.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Suspension · CA

Front driver side lower control arm bolts came off without external forces. Both bolts fell off with no damage to the threads. Tesla service stated that they were possible not seated or missing per their inspection. Further er damage was caused by this defective part leading to the car not being operable due to no steering and no drive as well as wheel literally coming off the car.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Suspension · CA

Front driver side lower control arm bolts came off without external forces. Both bolts fell off with no damage to the threads. Tesla service stated that upon inspection of their technician it is determined that the front left lower link bolt was either not properly seated or missing which caused a defective front lower link bushing. (I included a screenshot of their finding). The damage was caused by this defective part leading to the car not being unsafe and inoperable due to no steering and no drive as well as wheel literally coming off the car while in motion. Luckily I was simply backing into my driveway when this failure happened narrowly avoiding a potential life threatening accident. I have researched that this was a known issue for my exact make and model just months before my car was purchased in march 2022. I have attached the document "Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V‑835. Unfortunately, Tesla refuses to admit the defect when it was time to pay for the repairs despite clearly admitting it on their initial inspection, leaving me with the repair bill.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Suspension · FL

The lateral lower front right suspension link and its securing bolts failed, causing the control arm to drop and the vehicle to become uncontrollable. (The bolts actually fell out on the ground) This was the second repair involving the same suspension area, with prior work performed on March 27, 2025. The replaced components should be available for inspection upon request. The failure caused the vehicle to become uncontrollable while backing into a parking spot. Had this occurred at road speed, it could have resulted in a complete loss of control, posing a risk to the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and surrounding traffic. Tesla service confirmed the failure during the January 5, 2026 repair and replaced the affected suspension components under Invoice #[XXX]. Tesla service technicians inspected the vehicle during both repair visits (March 27, 2025 and January 5, 2026). There is no record of inspection by police or insurance representatives. No warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms were present. The failure occurred suddenly while backing into a parking spot with no advance indication. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Suspension · CA

While slowly backing out of a parking space at a Whole Foods in San Jose, CA, the driver's-side front wheel suddenly collapsed without warning. The front tire completely locked up, preventing further movement. Upon inspection, I found two bolts lying on the ground and the lower control arm detached and hanging loosely. The sudden jolt from the tire impacting the vehicle's body also caused minor damage to the plastic underbody cover. I had the car towed to the Tesla Service Center at 2801 Northwestern Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, and it is now in their possession. Fortunately, this occurred at very low speed in a parking lot—if it had happened on the freeway, the outcome could have been catastrophic. I've since discovered similar incidents reported by other Tesla owners in this forum thread: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Body, Suspension · CA

I initially brought my car in for a weird clicking noise. This noise went away after the car was towed to the Service Center. During service at Tesla Service Center in LA on August 04, 2025, technicians identified structural deformation of the left-hand rear subframe toe link mounting side wall. This deformation prevents proper alignment of the suspension bolt and makes a 4-wheel alignment impossible. Tesla refused warranty coverage, claiming “impact damage,” citing only cosmetic wheel rim scrape as evidence. However: 1. Torque paint marks remain intact, proving the bolt has not shifted since factory assembly. 2. No collateral suspension damage (control arms, bushings, underbody) was found, which would normally occur if an impact strong enough to bend a subframe ear had happened. 3. This failure mode is nearly identical to Tesla’s prior recall (21V‑835 / 23V‑235) on the front suspension lateral link bolts, which involved subframe mounting holes deforming and preventing proper alignment. Safety Concern: The subframe is a critical structural component of the suspension system. Deformation at the toe link mounting point risks the following issues: improper suspension geometry, loss of wheel alignment, reduced vehicle stability and tire wear, and potential sudden loss of control in emergency maneuvers. Tesla has declined to repair this under warranty, leaving the defect unresolved. I believe this represents a potential systemic defect in the rear subframe design, similar to the previously acknowledged front subframe defect.