2013 Tesla Model S suspension problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 17, 2025ILSuspension

   Driver's side rear control arm failure. The outside knuckle of the control arm cracked and is missing a portion. Tesla agrees this is SB-19-31-001 and will not repair without payment, due to the age of the vehicle. Vehicle has been serviced by Tesla multiple times without comment that this should be replaced.

   NHTSA complaint #11667459 · source
2. Filed Jan 1, 2025NVSteeringSuspension

   When driving my vehicle the rear axle snapped causing the vehicle to fishtail. When checked by insurance company for repairs they found the Air suspension and rear axle snapped. It took out the air ride suspension, and bent 2 rims. It caused damage to the front fender as well as both interior wheel wells on the driver's side. Due to the suspension issue it caused a rock to come up and cracked windshield. The issue caused my vehicle to leave the road as I could not control…

   NHTSA complaint #11633551 · source
3. Filed Oct 14, 2023NJSuspension

   Driving at normal speeds and conditions my rear drivers control arm snapped off and wheel almost fell off , if driving at higher speed could have been deadly

   NHTSA complaint #11549906 · source
4. Filed Jul 18, 2023WISuspension

   Lower rear driver side control arm broke. A pop was heard at the stop sign only yards away (40 approximately) from my destination. Vehicle was placed into reverse to back into a driveway. The vehicle got stuck in the middle of the road and required a tow to move it.

   NHTSA complaint #11532948 · source
5. Filed Dec 8, 2022NYSuspension

   I bought a used, but well cared for, gently used and properly maintained, 2013 Model S P85 from an individual in CT on Oct 8, 2022 with 77937 miles on it. I had the car about a month and a half of normal use when it ran well with zero issues, which included driving all the way from NY to VT over Thanksgiving at highway speeds with no issue. When back in my own town and making just a few turns to get to work on local roads on 11/28/22, I found myself losing control of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11496548 · source
6. Filed Jun 2, 2022MISuspension

   Rear passanger control arm cracked and broke as i was driving on the freeway. Tire began to wobble and make driving unsafe.

   NHTSA complaint #11467172 · source
7. Filed Jun 1, 2022AZSuspension

   Component failed: Rear subframe cracked Safety risk: Car not stable to drive at speed, drive unit can twist or flop/drop Confirmed issue w/ dealer who is also manufacturer. Root cause of failure not established, but no signs of collision. Working hypothesis is metal fatigue or stress as metal part is not built thick enough to withstand force places on it causing shearing. There are no warning lights or lamps, no symptoms prior to failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11467055 · source
8. Filed Oct 30, 2021NVSteeringSuspensionWheels & Tires

   To whom it may concern, Tesla Model S, and potentially other vehicles, have notorious issues with their front suspension fore links perhaps causing unsafe driving conditions. The topic has been brought up on Tesla forums numerous times and countless drivers are experiencing the same issue due to faulty parts provided during the manufacture of Tesla vehicles. The issue causes turning tightness, tire rubbing, and complete car driving capability failure, usually at low speeds.…

   NHTSA complaint #11438759 · source
9. Filed Aug 26, 2021FLSteeringSuspension

   I was approaching a stop sign at 2 mph when I heard a terrible metallic clunking sound from under the front of the car. When I went to make a right turn, I was unable to steer the car. I was able to get it into a parking lot where I saw that the front right wheel was cambered in at about 30 degrees. I took photos of the car and in the wheel well and saw that the wheel was disconnected from an upper control bar. I had it towed to the Tesla Service Center and they confirmed…

   NHTSA complaint #11430669 · source
10. Filed Jul 8, 2021WASuspension

    In June, began hearing noise from the front suspension area while turning at speeds from 0-45 mph. I created a service appointment and I was initially told the front control arms and shock needed to be replaced due to wear and tear and would not be covered under warranty. Was informed the shock was leaking and it was required to be replaced in conjunction with the control arms repair. Was told “I won’t say its safe to drive, because at some point it can fail ”by the service…

    NHTSA complaint #11423922 · source
11. Filed Feb 26, 2021112,900 miCASuspension

    My vehicle started making some loud creaking/squeaky noises when turning and going over bumps at any speed or parked. I had it inspected by a tesla service center and they said the left control arm is starting to fail and should be replaced. They also recommended replacing the fore link assembly to address some rattling noise that was going on also. I recently read that tesla had issued a recall in china for this problem for the model s and is currently investigating the…

    NHTSA complaint #11398116 · source
12. Filed Feb 18, 202153,000 miFLSuspension

    Changed the suspension components before full failure occurred. Car was brought in due to safety concerns, technicians noted the entire suspension system was on verge of collapse and not safe to drive. Under their service bulletin they replaced the rear control arms as a good will gesture and charged for the front upper and lower control arms. There is a design flaw for this suspension system and the manufacturer is refusing to acknowledge their flaw, leaving users unaware…

    NHTSA complaint #11396782 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology