Tesla Model Y grinding brakes problems

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · IL

I was backing out of a parking spot and as I shifted to driving forward I heard a loud bang from the front driver's side wheel well. I got out to see what had happened, expecting a flat tire, but nothing visually appeared wrong. So I got back into the vehicle and started to drive away again, I could drive straight or turn left, but if I tried to turn right it made loud grinding noises. I slowly drove around the parking but quickly determined the vehicle was unsafe and undriveable at that point. Additionally, I found a large bolt on the ground near where I had driven the vehicle. I no longer have the bolt, because the service center kept it. I arranged to have the vehicle towed to a local Tesla Service Center where they discovered "the front left lower lateral link bolt was missing and the remaining bolt was loose". After having the vehicle repaired, I discovered that this exact issue has been documented and resulted in the federal safety agency Recall Campaign 22V895000 / Tesla Bulletin SB-22-31-002 (improperly torqued lateral link fasteners). I requested a refund for the towing and repair cost, but was told that there are no active recalls on my VIN. I believe the scope of the active recall is too limited and clearly the issue exists beyond the currently recalled vehicles and should be expanded.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · NJ

What failed: Front and rear suspension and drive components; the root cause is not resolved. Since at least June 2025, my 2021 Tesla Model Y Dual Motor (110,864 miles) has made a grinding, clunking and knocking noise, loudest at the front on the driver's side. It now happens on almost every drive, including on the highway, and the car sometimes shakes at speed. The vehicle is available for inspection on request. Safety risk: We drive this car with our young family, including on the highway. I am worried a suspension part could fail and cause loss of control. On XXX Tesla's technician wrote that the rear knuckles "have play and need to be replaced soon"; they have not been replaced. My car is also in the model years covered by the federal safety agency's XXX preliminary evaluation of front lower lateral link detachment on 2021–2023 Model Y. No crash or injury so far. Confirmed by a service center: Partly, by Tesla Service.XXX ([XXX]): confirmed front suspension noise and replaced both front lower lateral links and compliance links ($1,620.03); the noise continued. XXX [XXX]): verified a rear humming noise and a split rear drive unit bushing. XXX replaced the rear drive unit, verified front vibration on a test drive, and noted the rear knuckle play. XXX: verified front grinding, attributed it to brake wear, and did brake burnishing; no change. SXXX: unable to replicate. I also reported a noise on XXX Inspections: Tesla Service only. No police or insurance involvement. Warning lights: None related to this that I have noticed. I sent Tesla written notice on XXX THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Oct 3, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA

I began hearing a squeaking noise coming from the front of my 2023 Tesla Model Y. While pulling out of a parking lot at a low speed, the front left control arm failed and the bolts came out. When the failure occurred, the vehicle suddenly steered to the left. Fortunately, I was traveling at a very low speed when this happened. I am concerned that if the same failure had occurred while traveling at freeway speeds, I could have lost control of the vehicle and potentially been involved in a serious accident. Tesla has since repaired the vehicle. After this incident, I researched similar failures and found multiple reports from other Tesla Model Y owners describing control arm/suspension components or associated fasteners coming loose or separating. I am reporting this because I am concerned this may represent a broader safety issue with the Model Y suspension system.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Suspension · DC

The vehicle suffered severe, premature suspension control arm degradation resulting in loud creaking/squeaking, forcing an emergency out-of-pocket replacement costing over $1,000. This is a known systemic defect noted in Tesla TSB SB-20-31-006. This first occurred in February and then again in July this year.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · GA

My vehicle falls within the 2021–2023 Model Y population identified in the federal safety agency Preliminary Evaluation PE26-006. The vehicle is a 2021 Model Y and current mileage is 73,350 miles. I am experiencing progressively worsening front suspension squeaking/creaking when turning the steering wheel in either direction, which can now be heard both inside and outside the vehicle. The vehicle also feels noticeably bouncier than normal. I first noticed a faint creaking sound in July and it has gotten worse over time. So I have concerns regarding the lower lateral-link/control-arm suspension failure. Additionally, I have experienced unusual wear on my tires and alignment issues in the last couple of years. There was also a previous recall from 2021 , 21V‑835 / SB-21-31-003, that involved certain 2020–2021 Model Ys where the front lower lateral-link fasteners could loosen and allow the lateral link to separate from the subframe. the federal safety agency specifically described the potential consequence as changed wheel alignment, instability, and increased crash risk. I have reached out to Tesla about my concerns and they stated there were no open recalls and quoted me for repairs. I have screenshots of the Tesla correspondence if needed. I have an upcoming appointment with Tesla on 9/24/26 for diagnostic testing.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · GA

While driving and making a left turn the wheels pulled hard to the left and a major grinding noise started and at the same time the steering wheel locked up. I was just shy of crashing into a curb area and sitting in oncoming traffic lane. I pulled on the steering wheel and it broke free but still had a grinding noise and this happens a handful of times. I took to Tesla service and they said the lower steering link was completely hanging free. No advance notice just major failure.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Suspension · IN

In May 2025, my 2021 Tesla Model Y, with approximately 50,600 miles, developed a squeaking/groaning noise from the front suspension, especially while turning. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center because of the noise. Tesla inspected and road-tested the vehicle and confirmed the squeaking/groaning from the front suspension. According to the Tesla service invoice, the noise was caused by worn front suspension components. Tesla replaced both front lower lateral links, both front lower compliance links, and both front upper control arms. Tesla also replaced the associated lateral-link bolts/hardware and performed a four-wheel alignment. There were no warning lights or dashboard messages that I recall. The suspension noise was the symptom that caused me to seek service. The problem was confirmed by Tesla during its inspection and road test. I paid for the repair myself. I am reporting this because I recently learned that the federal safety agency is investigating front lower lateral-link failures in 2021–2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles under Preliminary Evaluation PE26006. My vehicle is within the model years under investigation, and Tesla replaced both of my front lower lateral links after confirming my front suspension symptoms. I do not know whether my lateral links would have eventually detached if they had not been replaced. The original components were removed by Tesla during the repair and are not available for inspection.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Suspension · FL

While my wife was driving on a flat straight road, she heard a loud bang noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle made a loud grinding noise. Upon inspection, it was found the bolt securing the front right damper to the suspension had snapped and come loose. The nut fastening the bolt was lost on the roadside.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Suspension · NJ

My front suspension is making squeaky and chuckling noice, went to service center they say its out of warranty the issue was there years before but I have ignored thinking weather related issues also make them aware about, since its 4 to 5 thousand miles over warranty I asked for little discount on fix, also made them aware that i have heard similar issue report all over the web also show them related article but they denied, now I don’t understand when model y 2023 has same issue recall but not mine which is same model y 2023, maybe different batch but same issue still not covered and please take a look on it so I don’t have to to pay $2500+ for there manufacturing defect.. thanks