The lower control arm of the passenger front wheel separated from the vehicle entirely while the vehicle was in motion. There are two bolts which attach the bushing to the front sub-frame assembly. These bolts pass through the frame and are secured into nuts which are affixed to the frame. The bolts are not captured; there is no retention device (pins, wiring) which prevent these bolts from backing out of position, other than torque. Blue thread-lock compound was visible on both bolts, which remained present in the bushing after the control arm separated from the frame. When the arm detached from the frame, it dropped to the asphalt and made a loud grinding noise. The passenger side front wheel became directionally unstable and rotated inward and left, out of alignment with the intact driver-side wheel. This misalignment, while the vehicle was in motion, disrupted steering control and forced the passenger front wheel into the fender, causing friction and significant further damage to the frame and the suspension. This damage, combined with the driver's actions, stopped the car immediately. Fortunately, this occurred at low speed. Unfortunately, the cumulative damage left the vehicle immobilized in the middle of public road. Due to the great weight of the vehicle and the unstable front wheel, the vehicle could not be removed from the roadway and thus blocked traffic for several hours. The bolts, frame, and control arm were not visibly damaged. The bolts lost torque and backed out of the frame without noticeable indication that they were doing so. Tesla's characterization of the fault was that the vehicle "ejected" the bolts. Tesla repaired the damage under warranty. Multiple reports of similar (visually identical) events are available: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2023 Tesla Model Y suspension complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 137, newest first, as owners wrote them.
A suspension rod/bolt fell off my car. When I was making a right hand turn my car began screeching and shaking, I lost control for a second and almost hit another vehicle, luckily I was able to stop my car. I had my car towed to a Tesla service station for repair.
Driving less than 5 mph, upper and lower control arms break off, throwing front driver side body onto front driver side tire. It could’ve been extremely bad if we were driving on the freeway and even caused death.
Knocking noise coming from front left tire when turning, accelerating, and reversing. Investigated noise and found a bolt hanging (unscrewed) from control arm/tie rod and another bolt loose and working it's way loose. If this bolt unscrew, I'm positive steering would be lost. See pictures.
Front lower control arm bushings are torn. This was discovered at 32000 miles. Premature failure of suspension parts can create a unsafe driving condition. Currently available for inspection. But will be replaced under warranty as soon as possible.
Took my car into tesla service center for alignment and they said that i need to change my front lateral link. I asked if it was damaged by anything i did and they said no. At 31k miles this is not normal. They won't cover it under warranty. It's a critical component and can cause a major accident resulting in injury or death.
Two weeks I had my model Y serviced for shaking of the car and steering wheel. They deemed the cause of the shaking due to unalignment of the wheels and they claimed to have fixed the issue. After receiving the car for the week after it began to make a sound of something hitting every time I made a U turn or any time I turned the wheel. While driving 3/8 with my family in the car I made a U turn in a parking lot and heard the same loud sound of hitting. When I went to check two large approximately 3 inch bolts were on the ground but no nuts in sight and my control arm broke the bottom plate and was completely unattached from the car. Thankfully the bolts came off while in a parking lot and not 20 minutes prior when I was driving on a windy road. Within 24hours Tesla contacted me saying my car was ready for pickup without any explanation of why the bolts came off, No full inspection completed for other issues and no alignment of the tires. Under the Tesla mechanic notes they only reinstalled the bolts and tightened the front wheels and not the back. Upon further research online I have found numerous other people complaining of the same issue of the bolts for the control arm falling off on Model Y and 3 Teslas due to forgetting to weld the bolt nuts to the sub frame.
The two bolts securing the lower lateral link of the front passenger side loosened and dropped out in 14 months of the car ownership, causing the lateral link detached from the subframe of the car. The car makes loud noise when turning, poses danger of suspension failure and possibly loss of control on freeway driving. I have scheduled a service appointment with Tesla service center and see if they can fix it.
My wife was driving her 2023 Model Y with our [XXX] son in it, suddenly she heard a loud sound back to back twice and the car stopped, she couldn’t drive or move the car, she stepped out and saw 2 large bolts on the ground near the front passenger tire and the tired turned inwards and the tire would not turn upon steering and would not move at all. We called Tesla Roadside assistance. The tow technician reviewed the situation and said this should not have happened and it is a major issue. If this happened on a freeway it could have been a disaster. He also told us that he has to try to get the bolts back in after removing and breaking some of the adjacent plastic cover on the bottom of the car in order to safely tow the vehicle without additional damage. The car was towed after 2 hrs of breaking adjacent plastic next to where the bolts were supposed to be and trying to get bolts back on to straighten the wheel. Truly shaken, if this happened on a a freeway or when car was fast, it could have been a devastating accident involving life of my child and wife. We are still trying to fathom what happened and why. We will talk to the Tesla service center tomorrow. We found at least one other post on forums re: similar issue with Tesla. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am lodging a formal complaint about recurring safety issues with my Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor AWD, purchased on June 8, 2023. These issues have led to multiple skidding incidents under normal conditions, vehicle damage, and concerns about its safety and reliability. Incidents: Sept. 23, 2023 (6,279 miles): Suspension noise reported to Tesla Service Center, Clarkston, MI. Service concluded suspension was operating as intended (Invoice No. 3000S0008134598). Dec. 4, 2024 (29,425 miles): Skidding on a highway caused minor contact with another vehicle. Repairs (two rear tires and parking lamp) cost $1,007.28 at Grand Rapids Service Center (Invoice No. 3000S0011836159). Dec. 24, 2024: At 9 mph near a stop sign, the vehicle skidded, colliding with a cement pole, damaging the bumper and parking lamp. Jan. 9, 2025: During a service appointment at Ann Arbor, technicians experienced skidding during a road test. Inspection revealed worn rear tires (recently replaced), damaged suspension, and subframe assembly. Repair costs totaled $10,022.69, but Tesla denied warranty coverage. Concerns: Safety and Reliability: The AWD system consistently fails to prevent skidding, unlike older vehicles from other manufacturers like Hyundai and Toyota. Service Negligence: Tesla Grand Rapids provided worn rear tires. Previous services overlooked suspension and alignment issues, contributing to recurring incidents. Warranty Denial: Despite being under warranty, Tesla refused coverage, advising an insurance claim, which is unjustified given the defects and poor maintenance. Request for the federal safety agency Action: Investigate potential defects in the braking, traction control, and suspension systems. Recommend a recall if defects are confirmed. Hold Tesla accountable for repairs under warranty and ensure improved service practices. Seek compensation for emotional distress and service deficiencies. I hope the federal safety agency will act promptly to ensure public safety and uphold Tesla’s commitment to safety measures.
The lower lateral link got disconnected from front suspension. Bolt wasn’t tightened to spec originally.
Front suspension axel system failed two bolts fell off left wheel arm causing me to lose control of vehicle. I was in the vehicle with my children I was driving out my mothers driveway less than 5mph when the incident occurred I do not even want to imagine what could have happened if I was driving the vehicle on a high way or at a high speed. Tesla representatives I have spoke to over the phone have said them selves this is common and I have read multiple articles online this is a safety issue if this happens on a highway this would and could cause fatalities. The vehicle did not prompt any warnings or messages. Prior to this incident occurring I reached out to Tesla because vehicle had been making a clicking noise and the soonest appointment they had available was not until January. The vehicle has been towed to Tesla Van Nuys CA and two different tow truck companies did not want to be involved so Tesla road side had to do the tow all 3 tow truck drivers agreed this is definitely a safety issue and common issue with TESLA this needs to be recalled.
In August 2024 with roughly 7,000 miles, I noticed a creaking sound when turning left. This issue was intermittent and the sound was getting louder over time. I made a service appointment at the next available date (10/8/2024) at the Tesla Service Center in Fresno, California, and the service technician was unable to duplicate the sound on a test drive and refused to look at my car. The issue became more persistent and louder over time. I took my car to my local tire shop on 11/26/2024 because the car no longer felt safe to drive due to the loud creaking or popping sound when turning left. The steering also felt very loose overall. The local tire shop advised me that the right control arm was about to fall out and the car is absolutely not safe to drive and a major safety hazard. Therefore, I towed the car to the Tesla service center in Fresno California, and they repaired the right control arm under warranty and aligned the car. There were no on-screen warnings - just the sound I was hearing. Tesla ignored my concerns in October 2024 and their refusal to look at my car then could have potentially caused me to lose control of the vehicle and potentially get into a serious accident where myself or others got hurt. Since loss of steering is serious, it could have potentially resulted in death. This is a common issue with Teslas and it was absolutely unacceptable that they would not inspect my car in October when I specifically described the concern and said that I feared it was the control arms based on my research.
I have been advised by Tesla my tires on the Tesla Model Y Performance 2023 vehicle with 23,506 miles are wearing out on the inner half of the tire due to a camber issue. They acknowledge the car’s weight causes the issue which can only be rectified with an adjustable camber. The camber installed on the 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance is not adjustable. They recommended I go to a third party to get an after market adjustable camber installed to avoid the inordinate wear and tear on the inner half of the stock Michelin Tires. They even gave me a name and address for a shop they normally recommend Tesla customers go to in order to get the work done. Tesla admits knowing of the engineering mistake and refuses to replace the camber part or the tires. I asked the service department why this issue was not addressed at the time of sale, they claim they can’t control what the sales people do are refrain from doing. This should be a recall on all Tesla Model Y Performance models. As a consumer I should not have to pay $1,550 to rectify their engineering mistake.
On the afternoon of November 4th, at approximately 3:40 pm, while driving at around 20 mph after picking up our child from school, we suddenly heard a gurgling sound coming from the front left area of the vehicle. Shortly afterward, additional noises emerged from the direction of the front left wheel. We are sure the car didn't hit or drive across anything before the first sound emerged. Upon making a left turn, we experienced significant difficulty in steering, accompanied by a much louder noise. We immediately pulled over and safely parked in a nearby CVS parking lot. Roadside assistance arrived approximately 50 minutes after our call, and the car was subsequently towed to the Tesla service center. As shown in the attached photos, the front left suspension arm detached, with both screw bolts completely broken and missing. One more important concerns, after the suspension failure happened, NO any alarm triggered. There wasn't any alarm from the screen. We are lucky as it happened at local road, not highway. This failure is definitely a safety issue.
My front right suspension linkage under the vehicle has come loose and drags on the tarmac. The problem is the suspension linkage is held on by what appears to be two bolts. The two bolts have backed out, causing this linkage to fail.
Control arm failure and two bolts came unscrewed.
Two days ago, as I was turning left into my neighborhood, I suddenly lost control of my car's steering. Just as I started the turn, the steering wheel unexpectedly pulled to the right, causing my car to veer off course and head straight toward the curb. Despite trying to correct it, the steering wouldn't respond, and the car collided with the curb. The impact was substantial, and the vehicle continued dragging along the curb until I was able to bring it to a complete stop. Upon inspection, I found that the passenger-side front wheel had been severely damaged, appearing crushed and warped from the impact. When I looked under the car, I noticed that the control arm was visibly damaged. It seemed bent or possibly broken, which I suspect contributed to my sudden loss of control over the steering. This experience has been unsettling, especially since the control arm is a critical part of the steering and suspension system. Afterward, I started researching similar incidents and found many posts and articles discussing similar cases. It seems that control arm damage or failure is not uncommon, particularly in situations involving rough terrain, curbs, or sudden impacts. Some articles also discuss the importance of regular inspections and the potential risks of worn-out control arms. I came across one particular article that sheds more light on these types of steering and suspension failures. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The driver suspension knuckle is cracking, I guess there was a recall for the same issue on models 2021 and 2022 and when I asked Tesla service I was told by them this not a common issue and I can drive on it until they can get the chance to look at it (which will be after month and half!!!) they are claiming the car is safe and from what I ready that if this part get broken the car will fail while driving !!!! I told them I am concerned about my family safety and other cars if something like this happens but they told me I have to wait!!
The Two bolts that hold the right side lower control arm connection to the frame one was completely out, and the other was loose.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal scraping sound from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that a bolt was hanging off the front passenger’s side of the suspension. Upon further inspection, the contact discovered that two additional bolts on the bracket were also loosened. The contact was able to tighten the bolt to secure the suspension. The contact called a Tesla Service Center but received no assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Front left suspension came apart without any collision. Over the course of a couple days, noticed a sound in the suspension when turning the steering wheel to make a 90 degree turn or more. Pulling out of a driveway and hear loud sound and then steering wheel would not move the front left tire. After getting out to inspect what happened, noticed there were two large bolts on the ground and a large piece of the suspension was hanging down under the car and sitting on the ground. There were no warnings prior to this occurring to signal that something was loose or malfunctioning. Luckily I was on a quiet residential road when it happened and was able to get out safely but it would have been extremely dangerous if this happened in a different location.
I found that two bolts that connect the front right suspension assembly to the body of the car were loose (actually one had completely come off). On 9/12 I heard a rather loud clanging sound when I accelerated. When I arrived home I looked under the car, saw those loose bolts, and took the two pictures that I attached, which were taken from in front of the behind the front right wheel. We bought this car new from Tesla, and received it in late August 2023. We would expect that those bolts were not properly tightened when the car was assembled at the factory, since servicing done afterwards should not have affected them. This is the list of servicing that was done after we received the car, and before 9/12: - Tesla service fixed some rattling sounds that we heard inside the car by adjusting the interior trim, and by fixing something in the brake pedal that was making some rattling sound sometime (replaced the brake pin, insulate the braked pedal and lubricated the brake pin) - A body shop replaced the side mirror on the left side (i.e. opposite side of the bolts that had come off), which had been hit by another car - A tire shop fixed a hole in a tire and rotated the tires
The control arm of my 2023 Model Y front wheel just came completely off without any incident. On August 31st at 9 pm, I was driving home from a park when I just pulled the car into my driveway, I heard a strange squeaky noise from the front wheel area, followed by a huge "BAM ''. I started to turn my steering wheel, and by then, the vehicle felt "stuck'' as if something was preventing the car from moving. I came out of the vehicle and noticed the control arm had just fallen off and was dragging on the ground, I also saw two bolts on the ground so I scheduled a Tesla roadside assistance. The Tesla service told me to call a lift-wheel tow truck to tow my vehicle to a collision for repairs. The control arm defect is a known issue for Tesla.
The front suspension lateral link fasteners fall off.
I was driving home and turned the wheel to the left to back up into my driveway when I heard a loud grinding noise. The car came to a complete stop and wouldn’t move forward or reverse. I got out of the car walked around and saw two large bolts laying on the floor. Bent down to look under the car and saw the lower control arm on the right front laying on the ground. Apparently, the two bolts had come loose somehow and the control arm dropped. Thankfully, it occurred in front of my house and not on the highway, which I happened to be on five minutes prior.
the rattling sound is getting louder after 13000 miles on my model Tesla Y and Tesla denied the warranty. It happens to my model 3 as well with VIN# [XXX] and that time they fixed it under warranty. I was told by the Tesla employee who inspect my model 3 and she confirmed it's a very common problem happen in Tesla. I owned cars in my life and first time I experience the rattling sound like that. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
A suspension bolt fell off while making a U-turn. It was linked to the lower arm. Hear a loud pop while backing out and made a left input on the steering wheel to complete the turn but the steering wheel will not turn. Check the right front wheel and it was toed inward. Called AAA and they where able to re-install the bolt. AAA also has also mention that another bolt was loose and about to fall off. He did not specific which bolt was also loose. Car was driving to a Tesla service center and they inspected the front and rear suspension. When asked why this had happen, the service advicer wasn't clear but stated bolt was loose from factory or at another service center. The car did not have previous work don't on suspension. FYI, we where traveling on freeway speed for about 2 hrs before the bolt fell off.
My model Y lower control arm bolt has become loose and disconnected. I noticed a rubbing sound on the front axle in a parking lot and fortunately discovered the source of the issue (disconnected suspension bolt) at home. I believe my vehicle should’ve been included in the recall below as the timeline lines up. My car was produced in the Austin factory and picked up in late November 2022. Can see in the attached photo the loose bolt and the suspension fork hitting the axel. [XXX] [XXX] As of today the car is sitting in the Tesla service center and they are arguing that repair is not covered because of the handwritten pen marks indicate third-party suspension work, but no suspension work has been done. The article citing the manual torque explains the factory markings. This bolt issue has resulted in fatalities at high speed. I’m lucky to have found it at home vs the highway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While backing out with the steering wheel turned the vehicle makes clunky noise as some thing rubbing together very hard.
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