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 Sep 9, 2026

209 of the 645 complaints on this car describe suspension, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Model S.

Tick what matches of 209 reports

clunking over bumps

a strut or shock failed

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 (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 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

27 of the 209 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,003 to $4,200.

$1,003$2,000$4,200

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 47,000 miles, from the 158 reports that gave a mileage.

3016

4417

2118

1519

3120

1821

2122

1323

924

425

326

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.