2015 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet

Suspension noise, struts or alignment

149owner reports
15,000median miles
$1,800median quote
30involved a crash

Newest report Aug 2, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

149 of the 667 complaints on this car describe suspension. Only infotainment is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 149 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 (22 reports), the ball joint (20 reports) and the struts or shocks (8 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the suspension system covers the 2015 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

18 of the 149 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $410 to $2,917.

$410$1,800$2,917

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 6,000 and 52,889 miles, from the 119 reports that gave a mileage.

415

3316

2717

718

919

2720

1621

622

923

824

225

126

What owners wrote

“Tesla front right hand lower forward link failed at the ball joint (aluminum casting spilt open) Part #1041575-00-A, FRT FORE AWD LCA RH, Made in Canada. This happened while backing up on flat pavement without warning. The car has been well cared for, garaged, never damaged or abused and has less than 52K miles. It could have caused a life threatening accident if it would have happened at speed.”
Filed Jan 18, 2024 · 52,000 miles

“Tesla Model S began making clunking/grinding noise when reversing out of a driveway with the wheel fully turned. It turned out that the front left and right fore links have failed prematurely and caused the front wheels to rub on the wheel arch/fender. No potholes were ever hit to cause the damage. Car needed replacement parts totaling $979. A wheel alignment was also needed. Car only has 97,000 miles.”
Filed Sep 22, 2023 · 97,000 miles

“I was driving on a street and needed to stop fast to avoid rear ending a stopped car. The control arm of my car broke. There was no debris on the road and I didn't hit anything. My car was towed to a Tesla Service center and they replaced both control arms (per the service person) and charged me only $200.”
Filed Feb 1, 2022

“Front right suspension lower forelink sheered apart while backing out of a parking space.”
Filed Dec 12, 2021

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 30 of 149 reports involved a crash and 16 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.