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 Sep 9, 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

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 (14 reports) and the ball joint (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the suspension system covers the 2014 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model S

PE20-020opened Nov 22, 2020

Suspension · model years 2013 to 2017

Fore link failure. Closed aug 12, 2024.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on forty-three complaints alleging failure of the left or right front suspension fore links in Tesla model year (MY) 2015 through 2017 Model S and MY 2016 through 2017 Model X vehicles. The investigation has identified 426 instances of failure on part number 1041570-00-A or 1041575-00-A fore links.None of the instances resulted in any loss of vehicle control. One minor crash with no injuries is associated with the 426 instances fore link failures.A majority of the failures occurred between one to fifteen mph while parking in driveways or parking lots.In the eight instances where the vehicle was traveling more than 40 mph and the fore link failed, the vehicle remained controllable with no associated crash or injuries as a result. Tesla issued a consumer satisfaction bulletin (SB-17-31-001) on 10 February 2017, to replace the subject component on a sub-population of vehicles originally equipped with the subject fore links and built between 19 January 2016 and 25 May 2016.This sub population does not cover 75% instances of failures identified in this investigation. Additional damage to other vehicle components will occur if the vehicle is driven with this failed fore link.However no instance has shown that a failure of the fore link in this manner prevented the controllability of the vehicle in testing and reported failures. Based on this analysis,ODI is closing the investigation. ODI recommends t

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.

$1,400$2,500$3,098

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 11,000 and 57,454 miles, from the 72 reports that gave a mileage.

315

1416

1717

918

319

1820

921

622

623

424

125

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.