2020 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Suspension noise, struts or alignment
- 46owner reports
- 9,000median miles
- $1,400median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 10, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
46 of the 451 complaints on this car describe suspension.
Tick what matches of 46 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 (20 reports) and the ball joint (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the suspension system covers the 2020 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.
All 21 recalls on the 2020 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
5 of the 46 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $330 to $2,356.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,000 and 40,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 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.
Certain Model 3 vehicles were manufactured with LH front damper assemblies that do not meet internal specifications, which may result in elevated NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) from the front of the vehicle.
Certain Model 3 vehicles were manufactured with RH front damper assemblies that do not meet internal specifications, which may result in elevated NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) from the front of the vehicle.
What owners wrote
“The front upper control arms. Causing poor steering and unbearable loud creaks when turning wheel. Mobile tesla tech confirmed upper control arm”
Filed Aug 4, 2026
“Component that failed was the lower lateral link. There was no loss of control but there was a sound going over any uneven surface. Upon bringing the vehicle to the Tesla dealership they recommended a replacement of the upper and lower control arm on both the driver and passenger side. This greatly increased the cost of the repair to a total of $2356.84”
Filed Aug 3, 2026
“This was not an incident. Instead Iâd like to report it as a design flaw. I discovered low speed noise and got it fixed at Tesla service center. Upper control arms and lower control links have both been replaced at ~70k miles and the cost to repair was over $2k at Tesla service center in Feb 2026. Later in May 2026 Tesla published a service bulletin acknowledging this is a design flaw”
Filed Jun 13, 2026 · 70,000 miles
“Front lower and upper control arms started generating noise around 100,000 miles. This was confirmed by an independent service center. So far, have spent $1400 on the lower control arms, only to find out that the noise is still there and the upper control arms need to be replaced as well.”
Filed Aug 13, 2025 · 100,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 46 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. 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
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 95 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 91 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 50 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 48 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 30 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 27 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 25 reports