2018 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet

Suspension noise, struts or alignment

180owner reports
30,000median miles
$2,000median quote
11involved a crash

Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

180 of the 1,011 complaints on this car describe suspension, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Model 3.

Tick what matches of 180 reports

clunking over bumps

a strut or shock failed

uneven tire wear

the car pulls to one side

a control arm or bushing

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the control arm (77 reports), the ball joint (25 reports), the bushing (13 reports) and the struts or shocks (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the suspension system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

23V-235Mar 31, 2023

Suspension:Front

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

Risk and remedy

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 May 30, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-31-001. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-835.

NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model 3

PE26-006opened Jul 29, 2026

Suspension · model years 2018 to 2023

Lower lateral link detachment. Open.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 156 complaints alleging a suspension failure in model year (MY) 2018-2020 Model 3 and MY 2021-2023 Model Y vehicles. The suspension failure involves the detachment of the front lower lateral link, which potentially causes a loss of vehicle directional control. In most cases, there was no advance warning or indication that the suspension failure would occur. Some cases cite noises occurring prior to failure, but note that the vehicle provides no visual warnings. Once the failure occurs, the vehicle may not be drivable, thus requiring a tow. Tesla has previously recalled vehicles for lateral link detachments through two recalls. Recall 21V-835 addressed 2,791 MY2019-2021 Tesla Model 3 vehicles due to a production issue. Recall 23V-235 addressed 422 2018-2019 Tesla Model 3 vehicles that had experienced similar failures to those recalled under 21V-835. The subject failures for this investigation exceed the scope of these recalls and do not appear to be related to the production issue that prompted those recalls. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to determine the underlying cause, scope, and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What owners paid

43 of the 180 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $570 to $2,800.

$570$2,000$2,800

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 54,300 miles, from the 89 reports that gave a mileage.

618

1819

1620

921

1922

3923

2924

1825

2626

What owners wrote

“The front passenger side upper control arm is squeaking and causing vehicle to drift to right, vehicle only has like 60k miles and the upper control arms have been replaced by Tesla before”
Filed Sep 9, 2025 · 60,000 miles

“Front suspension components needed to be replaced, vehicle was out of warranty and had only 43000 miles. These parts should last for much longer the 4 years and 43000 miles. No incident, but car squeaked at all speeds. Repair cost was $1600”
Filed Dec 30, 2023 · 43,000 miles

“Front suspension lateral link fell off from subframe while driving. No warning was given. Unable steer vehicle.”
Filed May 26, 2023

“My wife was driving and the left front suspension became disconnected. It appears some type of connection bolt came loose. The car became undriveable and unable to steal properly.”
Filed Apr 27, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 11 of 180 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.