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 Oct 2, 2026
37 of the 193 complaints on this car describe suspension, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Model X.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Suspension on other Model X 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: 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 (4 reports) and the ball joint (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the suspension system covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model X
Fore link failure. Closed aug 12, 2024.
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.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2018 Tesla Model X 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.
On certain Model 3, Model Y, and Model X vehicles, there may be a water ingress path to both front upper control arm ball joints that, over time, could possibly lead to surface corrosion of these ball joints.
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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found