2016 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Suspension noise, struts or alignment
- 209owner reports
- 19,232median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 35involved a crash
Newest report Jun 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
209 of the 647 complaints on this car describe suspension, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Model S.
Tick what matches of 209 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 (32 reports), the ball joint (21 reports), the bushing (5 reports) and the struts or shocks (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the suspension system covers the 2016 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
27 of the 209 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,003 to $4,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 47,000 miles, from the 158 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 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.
Some Model S vehicles were manufactured with front suspension lower fore links that do not meet Tesla?s internal specifications.
What owners wrote
“2016 Model S started making clunking sounds when turning and braking. Tesla service center inspected the vehicle and observed visible defects on the front left and right fore and aft links. Tesla recommended replacement of and quoted almost $2000 for parts and labor, including inspection fee. Vehicle only has 89000 miles and never had high impact incidents over obstacles.”
Filed Sep 6, 2024 · 89,000 miles
“The front suspension has failed at 124,947 miles and this is unheard of in a 6 year old car. There have been issues with this model S 2016 which Tesla is unwilling to recall and replace. The rear suspension had to be redone in 2021 with less than 100,000 miles”
Filed May 30, 2023 · 124,947 miles
“This vehicle had the driver side lower suspension connector link crack and fail at the lower ball joint at 22K miles. Now at 50K miles, the rear drivers side lower control arm has failed in the same way, In both cases, this is either due to a design defect or manufacturing defect. I have included pictures of both the front and rear links.”
Filed Mar 12, 2023 · 22,000 miles
“I could hear a noise in the front suspension while driving. Upon returning home the front driver side suspension collapsed while I was parking the car. The front suspension link broke and the wheel was rubbing against the arch liner. I was lucky that the failure occurred at very low speed but the damage could have been significant if it had happened just a few minutes earlier, while driving.”
Filed Aug 15, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 35 of 209 reports involved a crash and 23 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 169 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 54 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 29 reports