2014 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Suspension noise, struts or alignment
- 90owner reports
- 24,000median miles
- $2,500median quote
- 29involved a crash
Newest report Aug 20, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
90 of the 363 complaints on this car describe suspension. Only infotainment is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 90 reports
Suspension on other Model S 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: 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023.
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 (14 reports) and the ball joint (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the suspension system covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model S
Fore link failure. Closed aug 12, 2024.
What owners paid
9 of the 90 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,400 to $3,098.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 11,000 and 57,454 miles, from the 72 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2014 Tesla Model S 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.
On certain Model S vehicles, either lower rear control arm might crack, causing excessive negative camber of the rear suspension.
What owners wrote
“I have put my car in the shop 11 times since I purchased it 3 years ago. Now my suspension is having issues. I don't qualify for the lemon law due to the age of my car. I paid over 30,000 for a car that is not going to last till its paid off.”
Filed May 14, 2024
“Premature wear on almost all front suspension parts relating to control arms and sway bar links. Recently had to pay out of pocket to have two steering rack bolts tightened, they were not torqued properly from the factory apparently”
Filed Jan 25, 2024
“Front control arms left and right FR SUSP FORE LINK ASSY , only the replacement is available for inspection upon request. The safety that was put at risk is unknown. It was repaired by Tesla at my expense. There were no warning lamps, messages the only symptoms was noise, metal banging.”
Filed Jan 20, 2024
“The wheel came off the car while driving with no warning. It was just at service at the Tesla in Devon PA on May 12, 2023. This is a safety issue! Tesla refused to cover the repair and charged a diagnostic fee on top of that!”
Filed Jun 11, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 29 of 90 reports involved a crash and 6 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 103 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 26 reports