2021 Tesla Model Y suspension problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V912000Nov 21, 2021826 vehicles
  SUSPENSION

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.

  Risk: Suspension links that separate can reduce vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the knuckles as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-004.

• Recall 21V835000Oct 25, 20212,791 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS · SUSPENSION:FRONT

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

  Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026CASteeringSuspensionWheels & Tires

   On XXX my 2021 Tesla Model Y, VIN [XXX], was taken to Tesla Service in West Covina, California, at 69,097 miles. While turning, a front suspension bolt fell out and the car knocked. Tesla estimate 3000-009-[phone removed], service SV02F26AB8, dated XXX, quotes replacement of both front lower lateral links, part 2188341-00-D, and four nylon-patch lateral-link bolts, part 1109912-00-B, plus the front subframe, both front halfshafts, both lower compliance links, the front…

   NHTSA complaint #11768639 · source
2. Filed Sep 30, 2026DCSuspension

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11768194 · source
3. Filed Sep 23, 2026GASteeringSuspension

   My vehicle falls within the 2021–2023 Model Y population identified in NHTSA 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…

   NHTSA complaint #11766449 · source
4. Filed Sep 10, 2026CABody & StructureOther / UnknownSuspension

   I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center for a front suspension noise. During the alignment portion of that repair, the technician found a crack in the left side of the rear subframe casting, the structural member that locates the rear suspension links and supports the rear drive unit. The subframe required full replacement. There was no impact event. The vehicle has never struck a curb, pothole, or object, and Tesla's own written finding confirmed there was no…

   NHTSA complaint #11763484 · source
5. Filed Sep 10, 2026VASuspension

   My garage-kept 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a premature failure/tearing of the front lower lateral link and compliance bushings at only 31,930 miles under normal driving conditions. The service center identified severe degradation requiring immediate replacement. This component failed prematurely without any severe impact or road hazards, posing a potential safety hazard regarding vehicle control and alignment. This issue appears to be part of the ongoing suspension defect…

   NHTSA complaint #11763387 · source
6. Filed Sep 2, 2026MACrashSuspension

   I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with approximately 51,300 miles. Beginning in June 2026 I noticed a persistent creaking noise from the front suspension, most audible when accelerating and when turning at low speed. The vehicle had been rear-ended in June 2026 and repaired at a body shop; the noise was reported to the shop at that time and persisted after the repair was completed. On September 2, 2026 I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center for diagnosis. The technician…

   NHTSA complaint #11761709 · source
7. Filed Aug 28, 2026ILSteeringSuspension

   I am submitting this safety complaint regarding premature suspension failure on my 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX]), specifically concerning the front lower suspension links.During a dealer inspection at a Tesla Service Center on XXX, with 72,758 miles on the odometer, technicians diagnosed that the vehicle’s front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links suffered from severely torn factory air-gap rubber bushings. The degradation of these critical structural…

   NHTSA complaint #11760460 · source
8. Filed Aug 20, 2026INSuspension

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11758240 · source
9. Filed Aug 18, 202664,811 miCABody & StructureSuspension

   The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the suspension on the undercarriage of the vehicle was separating from the vehicle. The contact stated that a year prior to the failure, the half shaft used to attach the wheel to the vehicle subframe was fractured and was falling off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery was very heavy and was possibly the cause of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11757712 · source
10. Filed Aug 13, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteeringSuspension

    Component: Suspension: Front — lower lateral and compliance link assemblies; missing and backed-out lateral-link-to-subframe fasteners; torn bushings Beginning in XXX, the vehicle produced a reproducible knocking noise from the front end when reversing and turning at parking-lot speeds, with no dashboard warnings. Tesla Service ([XXX], invoice XXX) verified the noise and documented on the invoice that the cause was: 1. A front left lateral-link-to-subframe mounting bolt…

    NHTSA complaint #11756800 · source
11. Filed Aug 7, 2026CASuspension

    Front suspension makes creaking noises for a few months now. The car only makes noises when steering wheel is turned while reversing and sometimes when turning. Took the car to Tesla and they told me since the sound is not that loud and not really reproducible, then to bring it back when it gets worse. My car only has 34k miles on it.

    NHTSA complaint #11755436 · source
12. Filed Aug 6, 2026TXSuspension

    Noises started coming from suspension and I had an independent shop verify the issue. The lower control arm had separated from bushing and rubbing against subframe.

    NHTSA complaint #11755186 · 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