Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Tesla Model S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10-15 MPH, the rear subframe assembly failed inadvertently. The contact stated that the rear driver's side wheel appeared to be caved inward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe and rear wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. The contact stated that the failure can be explained by poor design. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's own expense, and they are requesting a reimbursement from the manufacturer. The contact has concerns that even after the repair that the vehicle will eventually fail again.
Rear suspension on 2020 and older model s and x is not adjustable for alignment. Factory camber comes 2 aggressive which burns only the very inner part of the tire at a rapid pace. Upon checking tread depth with gauge you will not see this wear and tires will appear to be good. Tire wear is not visible unless you crawl under vehicle and inspect visually. Many Many reports of blow out tire due to this issue. Look it up. To top it off the vehicle does not come with a spare.
There is loud clanking noise from the front of the car. Tesla service center said they must replace front sway bar and links. That was in December 2020. They still do not have those parts. Driving with damaged sway bars requires being super alert when changing lanes or turning. However, one cannot guarantee it 100% of the time. Tesla says that this is a minor noise issue. I would like them to fix the issue soon (not have to wait 6+ months).
Here is a Tesla in the junkyard https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/37354819?rownumber=22 the back wheel and suspension has fallen to bits. No crash damage. Just the suspension parts cracked and snapped. Despite teslas claim that only a small number of Tesla Model year cars that were exported to china need to be recalled because of bad roads and drivers in china this problem is affecting every Tesla around the world. Tesla design, manufacturing and quality control is faecal. NHTSA has received hundreds of complaints about this. When will you stop covering up for elon musk and demand a recall of these deadly cars? It is absurd for Tesla to merely issue obscure technical service bulletins and to claim that suspension failures do not pose a safety risk. Recall these time-bombs immediately. Thank you. Keef
Here is atesla Model s in the junkyard. Https://www.copart.com/lot/26038980/photos\ it has been in a rollover and is badly damaged. The back right hand wheel and complete suspension has fallen off and the bodywork in that area shows damage consistent with the wheel being ejected through the wheel well. Given the huge number of cases of Tesla suspension failures it seems highly likely that the loss of a wheel is what caused the rollover and is not simply the result of crash damage. For many other examples of Tesla suspension breakages go here https://twitter.com/hashtag/whompywheels not just in America. Teslas are going whompy all over the world. Please investigate. Thanks. Keef
The car software has been modified and appears to be compromised. Settings related to safety and Autopilot have been unstable. Driver profile does not work properly. Factory reset performed by Tesla paramus and by switching email account doesn't not remove the malware. Personal data and malfunctioning of the car continue despite several complaints to Tesla.
Here is a Tesla Model s in the auction sale yard https://www.copart.com/lot/27340709 the back lh suspension has snapped off completely. This does not appear to have been caused by impact damage, it has simply snapped off. Close up picture shows that the suspension links and lower arm have snapped. This 2018 car is still fitted with the old style fragile links that are supposed to have been replaced with stronger ones as notified in TSB : https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/mc-10153421-9999.pdf there seem to be many cars on the road that are still fitted with these weak parts. Also the cast aluminium lower suspension arm has snapped. Many similar failures have been reported. I intend to inform the media and motoring organisations about these failures and that NHTSA is failing to take any action. I am not an owner. I am a concerned citizen. …
Here is a Tesla in the junkyard https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/36845198?rownumber=5 the only damage is to the front lh side. The steel bumper attachment bar is undamaged which suggests that the damage was not the result of a frontal impact. Regardless of the cause of the damage the fact is that once again the cast monkey-metal steering knuckle has fractured in half. The car also does appear to be bottomed out on its air suspension. Teslas do not have any limit stops on the suspension. It is quite probable that the mcu failures that are under NHTSA investigation are contributing to the problem. Here is a thread in which another owner reports a fractured steering knuckle but the absurdly low suspension height is blamed on a third party lowering kit. …
Please note...I have used the VIN of another random junkyard Tesla since I do not know the VIN of the car which is the subject of this complaint. Posted today on the tmc. An owner's wheel has gone whompy and is scraping on the inside of the wheel arch and making alarming noises. Tesla service tell him to go fly a kite. Https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/left-front-chamber-link.172715/ zafra88, 34 minutes ago long story short my front driver tire is rubbing on the inner fender wall when turning right and makes a loud noise. Brought to the sc and they said alignment needs to be done to fix the issue. Was told alignment can't be done because the "chamber link" was damaged to outside impact. First what is the chamber link, possibly a typo and meant camber link? That is not a control arm is it? …
This is a complaint about Tesla broken suspensions. Here is the latest example... [redacted] please note that I have used the VIN of another Tesla in the junkyard which "quelle surprise" also has a whompy wheel. It seems strange that Tesla would prefer to deny that there is a weakness in the suspension components rather than admitting it and fixing the problem. To anyone that has been following the antics of elon musk recently it comes as no surprise. It seems unlikely that the owner will be filing a complaint since he has been informed that he is driving the safest car in the world! These Tesla suspension breakages have been happening over and over for many years. Your own database has hundreds of valid reports concerning this. I strongly recommend that you launch an investigation. Thank you. Enraged citizen.
Suspension complaints in other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2018 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the suspension of the 2018 Tesla Model S, 12% of the model year's 170 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Tesla Model S suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2018 Tesla Model S, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Tesla Model S suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 78% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.