2019 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Suspension noise, struts or alignment
- 82owner reports
- 16,000median miles
- $1,259median quote
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Aug 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
82 of the 615 complaints on this car describe suspension. Only airbag is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 82 reports
Suspension on other Model 3 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Suspension complaints are mostly about noise and handling: a clunk over bumps, a car that pulls to one side, a ride that bounces or leans more than it used to. The more serious reports describe a part breaking or coming loose, and that's where the recalls in this group are concentrated.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the control arm (36 reports), the ball joint (18 reports) and the bushing (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the suspension system cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
All 22 recalls on the 2019 Tesla Model 3, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model 3
Lower lateral link detachment. Open.
What owners paid
17 of the 82 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $400 to $2,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,000 and 49,000 miles, from the 38 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 Tesla Model 3 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
A firmware diagnosis feature is being introduced on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that monitors wheel alignment over time.
On certain Model 3, Model Y, and Model X vehicles, there may be a water ingress path to both front upper control arm ball joints that, over time, could possibly lead to surface corrosion of these ball joints.
What owners wrote
“Upper control arm unit is defective on most model 3's. This has been reported by thousands of Tesla owners. After 50,000 miles the upper control arm will fail due to being assembled incorrectly, which causes a hard time driving the car and causing a strange sound in the suspension which can cause a risk in driving and increase the likelihood of an accident.”
Filed Oct 19, 2024 · 50,000 miles
“The upper control arms on this vehicle are a known chronic issue where the ball joints fail anywhere from 15,000 miles and up. Tesla is charging for this replacement if vehicle has more than 50,000 miles”
Filed Feb 16, 2024 · 15,000 miles
“I had to replace the Front Upper Control Arm Assemblies (Left and Right). As part of this (I believe) I also had to replace Lower Lateral Links (Left and Right) and the Front Lower Compliance Links (Left and Right). My car had 53,536 miles on it at the time (so just outside the warranty). The total cost was $1,259.63.”
Filed Dec 29, 2023 · 53,536 miles
“The front control arm fails just 58k mile mark this known issue on car. Multiple time brought to there attention no action was taken”
Filed Feb 23, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 82 reports involved a crash and 3 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 85 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 77 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 77 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 73 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 64 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 63 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 60 reports