2026 Tesla Model Y: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · WA

Cut to 1,423 characters — fits with room to spare. Same facts, same careful framing, nothing lost. I'm reporting a recurring suspension/control-arm problem with 2026 Tesla vehicles. My 2026 Tesla developed suspension squeaking. Tesla fixed it under warranty. The same noise is back. While Tesla had my vehicle, they gave me a 2026 Model Y loaner — it makes the same noise. The problem is in multiple 2026 vehicles, not just mine. Tesla Service Bulletin SB-25-31-005 (May 8, 2026) covers rattling/knocking from the suspension on 2025+ Model Y, including front upper-control-arm mounts. Tesla has also documented upper-control-arm ball-joint creaking on Model 3/Y/X from water ingress and corrosion. the federal safety agency recalled 2020 Model Y for improperly secured front upper-control-arm hardware, stating separation could reduce steering ability and increase crash risk. I am not claiming my vehicle has that exact defect. I am asking the federal safety agency to determine whether these recurring symptoms indicate another suspension/control-arm defect. I transport a baby in this vehicle. A control-arm failure causing loss of steering could cause a crash with serious injury or death. Tesla now refuses warranty inspection unless I pay a diagnostic deposit first, even though they fixed the same issue under warranty before and the car is under the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. I ask the federal safety agency to review this with other Tesla suspension complaints for a defect trend. I can provide VINs, service records, Tesla communications, and noise recordings.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Steering · OR

After a 2 months of ownership, the motor that deploys the steering wheel to the driving position started a deep resistive noise. Took it to the service center in Bend, Oregon October 29, 2025. Their response, consumer education. ("This is normal") Second trip to Bend, Nov 4, 2025 they took the steering wheel off and adjusted the steering column. The problem persisted. The repair center ordered a new steering column. Another trip to Bend, Oregon, December 2, 2025, they replaced the steering column. Within a week, the grinding noise returned in the new steering column. If we activate it twice in succession, the deploying motor overheats and shuts down, leading to the driving wheel (and airbag) in the high and retracted position. Inquiring of the service manager at Bend, OR repair facility, he said Tesla is aware of the problem but does not have a replacement that itself will not have the same problem as the parts that are removed. (In other words, they cannot fix it.) Putting the Airbag in the wrong position while driving would deploy the driver's air bag too high to meet the safety standard under which it was tested and certified for a collision rating. Do I have a lemon?

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Brakes, Seats · OK

1. There is a constant thunking noise coming from the front suspension when traveling on slightly bumpy roads at low speeds. 2. Both front seats squeak and squeal as if they are loose and not bolted in correctly. 3. Front brakes screach and squeal when coming to a stop in cold or wet weather, escpecially pronounced during cold weather. (This is an active service bulletin in all vehicles made in their Berlin factory but is happening in U.S. built vehicles as well.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Seats · VA

Since taking delivery of my 2026 Tesla Model Y, the driver's seat seatback rocks forward and backward during normal acceleration and braking. The movement is both audible (squeaking/creaking) and tactile — the seat physically shifts under the driver's weight during vehicle operation. This is not an intermittent or minor issue; it occurs consistently every time the vehicle accelerates from a stop or decelerates. A rocking driver's seat is a safety concern. The driver's seating position directly affects their ability to control the steering wheel, reach pedals accurately, and be properly restrained by the seatbelt and airbag system in the event of a collision. A seat that moves unexpectedly during normal driving undermines all of these functions. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate whether this defect is present across 2026 Model Y vehicles beyond the scope of recall SB-25-13-003, and whether Tesla's practice of charging diagnostic fees for safety-related warranty claims warrants further regulatory action."

Filed Mar 1, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · WA

One only needs to google or ask an AI about "Tesla Model Y Juniper" front end suspension noises and you will find links to hundreds of complaints and at least two YouTube videos now. Based on reports from recent 2026 Tesla Model Y owners, particularly those with the Juniper refresh, the front-end noises over rough or bumpy roads at very slow speeds sound like a widespread suspension-related issue. It's often characterized as a clunk, rattle, or knocking from the front suspension, especially when the suspension compresses and unloads over uneven surfaces like driveways, speed bumps, or minor road imperfections. Youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECerCsSdEeI&list=WL&index=3 For the rubbing-type noises when turning the wheels all the way left/right (full lock), this is another frequently reported quirk in Model Ys, though less tied specifically to 2026 builds. It often presents as a grinding, scraping, or creaking sound. I had scheduled an appointment with Tesla Service, however, there are a lot of cases where the Service Center provides a repair or is supposedly removing the Pencil Braces. Based on all the repairs I've read, 1. The issues still remain. 2. Service Center's don't really seem to know how to provide repairs to fix the issues, and it seems different Service Centers are providing different repairs (they don't really have a fix). 3. There are many cases where supposedly, Tesla Service Technician's are informing customers that Tesla is aware of this widespread issue and their engineers are supposedly working on a permanent solution. I currently don't see any reason to have a Tesla Service Center tear apart my brand-new Tesla, simply to provide a temporary solution. And, if Tesla engineers are indeed working on these issues, I would rather wait. Finally, I am filling this complaint to 1. Notify the federal safety agency if they're currently unaware of this issue and 2. To have a record of my complaint, if it turns out I need to utilize the Lemon Law or a buy back.