2020 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Suspension noise, struts or alignment
- 30owner reports
- 6,000median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Aug 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
30 of the 280 complaints on this car describe suspension.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Suspension on other Model Y 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: 2024, 2025.
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 (7 reports) and the ball joint (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the suspension system cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.
The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may have not been properly tightened, allowing the upper control arm to detach from the steering knuckle.
All 24 recalls on the 2020 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Model Y
Lower lateral link detachment. Open.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 1,000 and 15,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Tesla Model Y 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.
A firmware diagnosis feature is being introduced on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that monitors wheel alignment over time.
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
“While my wife was driving on a flat straight road, she heard a loud bang noise from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle made a loud grinding noise. Upon inspection, it was found the bolt securing the front right damper to the suspension had snapped and come loose. The nut fastening the bolt was lost on the roadside.”
Filed Aug 18, 2026
“Steering became difficult to turn to the right with the wheel sticking to the right when trying to turn or drive the vehicle. Tesla claims we had some kind of a large impact. Maybe a pothole. Tesla claims well this is a heavy vehicle. Out of no where we had to replace the entire steering rack. I've never had to replace an entire steering rack for a pothole. Seems ridiculous.”
Filed May 13, 2025
“Front suspension issues with lots of creaking and noise when accelerating and decelerating as well as turning. Tesla had previously greased my upper control arms but this issue is now back, worse than ever”
Filed May 11, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 30 reports involved a crash and 1 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 51 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 47 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 36 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 30 reports