Diagsheet

2018 Tesla Model X · symptom sheet

Suspension noise, struts or alignment

  • 37owner reports
  • 18,000median miles
  • 3involved a crash

Newest report Sep 13, 2025 · checked Sep 9, 2026

37 of the 191 complaints on this car describe suspension, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Model X.

Tick what matches of 37 reports

3
3
5

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the control arm (4 reports) and the ball joint (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the suspension system covers the 2018 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model X

PE20-020opened Nov 22, 2020
Suspension · model years 2016 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

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 20,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

919
620
421
422
723
324
425

What owners wrote

“The car starts developing very loud squeaking noise when the suspension is at work, when turning, and when accelerating/decelerating”

Filed Apr 10, 2024

“Unexpected loss of Power steering and premature suspension failure caused loss of full control of vehicle.”

Filed Mar 2, 2024

“Took my car to a tesla service center to repair the suspension front upper arm in feb2023 for $300 Today the front suspension lower arm/forelink/aft failed and they are making the repair now. Repair costs is $1600. After doing some research, it seems the suspension issue on the model x is a widespread and faulty design issue. They fail with the car being just 5 years old.”

Filed Feb 5, 2024

“The car squeaks whenever it goes over a bump (not matter how small) or you turn the steering wheel. Sounds like rubber rubbing together”

Filed Feb 28, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 3 of 37 reports involved a crash. 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.