The vehicle was taken to an offical Tesla Service Center for driver's seat foam repair. Following the service, the vehicle was returned to me in an extremely hazardous condition with severe assembly oversights on the driver's seat structural mountings: The rear-left bolt securing the driver's seat frame to the vehicle floor was COMPLETELY MISSING. The rear-right bolt was left ONLY HALFWAY THREADED and loose. The seat side trim and foam were improperly reinstalled. Safety Risk: An unanchored driver seat poses a critical safety hazard. During normal driving, the seat shifts and clunks on turns. In the event of a crash or hard braking, an unbolted seat can detach or structural seat rail failures could occur, severely compromising restraint systems (seatbelts/airbags) and causing life-threatening injury to the driver. Inspection Availability & Symptoms: The loose and missing bolts are visually confirmed, documented via photographs and videos, and remain available for official inspection upon request. Symptoms began immediately after picking up the vehicle from the service visit. this is a physical mounting fastener omission by service technicians.
2026 Tesla Model Y: harsh or hard shifting
8 of the 452 complaints about the 2026 Tesla Model Y describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
What owners say
Service Concern — Front Suspension / Rattling Noise Vehicle is experiencing a persistent rattling/knocking noise from the front area when driving over bumps, uneven pavement, or rough roads. Noise is noticeable at low to moderate speeds and appears suspension-related. Condition seems consistent with known Tesla Model Y service concerns regarding: * front upper control arm mounts, * front damper assemblies, * and wiper bracket pencil braces. Requesting inspection and evaluation of: * front suspension components, * damper assemblies, * upper control arm mounts, * and any applicable Tesla Service Bulletins related to front-end NVH/rattling concerns. Noise has become increasingly noticeable during normal driving conditions and is affecting ride quality. Please document findings and advise whether repairs are covered under warranty. The symptoms typically include: * Rattling noise over small bumps * Knocking or clunking from the front suspension * Noise on rough pavement, speed bumps, or uneven roads * Sometimes vibration or looseness felt near the dashboard/firewall area The repair procedure mentioned is consistent with a Tesla internal service approach for addressing front-end NVH issues (Noise, Vibration, Harshness). Here’s what each item means: Front Upper Control Arm Mounts These are suspension mounting components near the top of the front wheel assembly. If worn, loose, or improperly isolated, they can create: * Metallic knocking * Clicking during suspension travel * Vibration transferred into the cabin Replacing them helps stabilize suspension movement. Front Damper Assemblies The dampers (shock absorbers/struts) control suspension rebound and compression. Faulty or noisy dampers can produce: * Hollow clunks * Rattles over expansion joints * Repetitive knocking on rough roads Replacing the assemblies usually resolves internal damper noise. Wiper Bracket “Pencil Braces” These braces sit beneath the cowl/wiper assembly area. On some vehicles they c
I am filing a complaint regarding a suspension defect on my new Tesla Model Y Juniper. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I began hearing a distinct knocking / clunking noise coming from the suspension when driving over small road imperfections and at low speeds. The noise is clearly abnormal for a new vehicle and sounds like loose or defective suspension components. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla service center, but the issue has not been resolved. Despite inspection and attempted repairs, the knocking noise continues to occur. This raises serious concerns about the quality and safety of the suspension system. Based on information from other Tesla owners, this appears to be a recurring issue affecting multiple Model Y Juniper vehicles. A persistent suspension defect on a new vehicle may pose a safety risk and should be investigated. I request that the federal safety agency review this issue and investigate whether there is a manufacturing or design defect affecting the suspension system of the Tesla Model Y Juniper. Vehicle Information: Model: Tesla Model Y (Juniper refresh) 7SAYGDEE9TF559226 Issue: Knocking / clunking noise from suspension Condition: Occurs at low speed and over small road bumps Status: Tesla service attempted repair but the problem persists (left and right front upper control arm replaced) This problem should not exist on a brand-new vehicle and requires proper investigation.
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.
The defect involves the front suspension and/or steering system of a new 2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Symptoms—persistent front-end clunking/thunking (primarily driver-side), steering instability, and vibration—began immediately upon delivery in late 2025, with Tesla notified same afternoon as delivery. The vibration now begins around 60 mph and intensifies with speed. Steering feel is excessively vague on-center (requiring constant correction to maintain lane position) yet overly twitchy and sensitive to inputs, creating inconsistent and unpredictable handling. The condition has progressively worsened and now renders the vehicle unsafe at highway speeds due to risk of loss of control. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms have appeared prior to or since onset. Tesla service centers have had multiple opportunities to evaluate the vehicle under warranty. The problem has not been confirmed objectively by Tesla; during at least one evaluation, a technician drove only at speeds below complaint threshold (despite requests to test at the speeds where symptoms occur), stated he did not feel the issue, and performed no further diagnosis. Multiple appointments were canceled or rescheduled by Tesla (including one after I arrived). The vehicle was repeatedly returned without documented objective testing or repair addressing the complaint. During one visit, the Tesla app indicated an active “visual quality check” while the vehicle remained parked outside and not being worked on for an extended period (documented). To rule out tires, I installed a brand-new set; the vibration worsened afterward. Safety risk: Unresolved steering/suspension instability increases the risk of loss of vehicle control at highway speeds, endangering occupants and other road users. Odometer at onset: 15 miles Current odometer: 3596 miles
I recently purchased a new Tesla Model Y in July 2025 . The vehicle has a loud clunking/creaking noise coming from the front suspension at low speeds, especially when driving over small bumps, turning into driveways, or when the road surface is uneven. The noise is noticeable inside the cabin and feels like a mechanical component is shifting. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service twice the first time they could not replicate the sound, the second time they noticed it right away and replaced the front right and left dampers which did nothing at all, I think the noise is much worse after they did this. Then they said the noise is normal characteristic for this vehicle, I am sorry they should not be saying this in normal, especially for a brand new car. I am concerned that this may be related to a suspension component failure or premature wear that could impact steering stability or control over time. Since this affects a brand-new vehicle and others have reported similar symptoms online, I believe this should be monitored as a potential safety defect. I am requesting that the federal safety agency track this issue to ensure Tesla provides a recall and make the proper corrections and repair campaign as it is necessary.
I recently purchased a new Tesla Model Y (Juniper refresh). The vehicle has a loud clunking/creaking noise coming from the front suspension at low speeds, especially when driving over small bumps, turning into driveways, or when the road surface is uneven. The noise is noticeable inside the cabin and feels like a mechanical component is shifting. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service. They confirmed the noise and told me it is not caused by the damper assembly but is a known issue that Tesla’s engineering team is currently investigating. However, no permanent fix is currently available, and the issue has not been resolved. I am concerned that this may be related to a suspension component failure or premature wear that could impact steering stability or control over time. Since this affects a brand-new vehicle and others have reported similar symptoms online, I believe this should be monitored as a potential safety defect. I am requesting that the federal safety agency track this issue to ensure Tesla provides a proper correction and repair campaign if necessary.
Since I purchased my 2026 Tesla Model Y RWD, the vehicle has had a persistent mechanical noise and vibration issue coming from the front suspension and brake area. This issue has been ongoing since the first weeks of ownership and has not been repaired or properly diagnosed after multiple service visits. Details -Component/System Failed: Front suspension/brake assembly (unknown exact component; may involve control arms, bushings, or brake rotors). -Availability for Inspection: Yes, the vehicle and recorded videos are available for inspection upon request. -Safety Risk: The vehicle produces loud clunking or popping noises when driving between 10–20 mph or when turning and braking. It feels unstable and unsafe at times, especially on wet roads. This raises concern about potential front-end component failure while driving. -Reproduction and Confirmation: The issue has been reproduced and confirmed multiple times by Tesla Service in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR. Tesla’s internal system shows that the issue was escalated for “in-car investigation by engineering,” but no permanent repair was completed. -Inspection History: Tesla technicians and engineers have inspected the vehicle several times. I also recorded multiple videos with cameras mounted inside the fender to document the sound and provide visual proof of the problem. -Warning Lamps or Messages: No warning lights appear. The issue is purely mechanical but noticeable during low-speed operation. The first symptoms appeared within the first month of delivery. -Manufacturer Contact: Tesla Service Centers in Vancouver and Portland are aware of the issue and have escalated it, but no resolution has been provided. This problem has continued for months despite repeated service visits. The vehicle was identified as needing further “factory-level investigation,” but I was told the local service centers cannot fix it. I believe the issue may be a manufacturing or design defect affecting suspension safety. My life is risk
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2026 Tesla Model Y harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
8 of 452 owner complaints about the 2026 Tesla Model Y (2%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2023.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2026 Tesla Model Y
Lane assist 29Adaptive cruise 16Collision warning 15Sudden acceleration 10Jerking 9Phantom braking 9Knocking 8No deployment 7Power steering loss 7Ball joint 6Loss of power 6Grinding brakes 5
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