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 Oct 2, 2026
149 of the 668 complaints on this car describe suspension. Only infotainment is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 149 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 (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 Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model S
Fore link failure. Closed aug 12, 2024.
What owners paid
18 of the 149 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $410 to $2,917.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,000 and 52,889 miles, from the 119 reports that gave a mileage.
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. 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 256 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 55 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 52 reports