Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Tesla Model X owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal squeaky and clunking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center, where the front driver's side and the passenger's side front upper control arms links and bushings were replaced, and the four-wheel alignment was performed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly resistant. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center, where the intermediate lower steering column shaft was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became significantly loose, causing the contact to lose steering control. Additionally, the wheels failed to respond as needed. …
I am making this complaint in the public interest The car I am complaining about is mangled and burned and the VIN is unavailable so I have used a dummy VIN to file this complaint. This car has just shown up in the wreckers yard. https://www.copart.com/lot/68650122/2016-tesla-model-x-ca-van-nuys It is almost certain that the occupants have been severely injured or killed. 2016 model Teslas are notorious for suspension breakages. The front RH tire has a deep gouge over the entire circumference. This is proof that the suspension failed and gouged the tire BEFORE the crash and therefore actually caused the crash. Image of the gouged tire is attached. You have hundreds of valid complaints filed for these Teslas. How many more have to die before you take action? …
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the contact heard a squeaking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact continued driving to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver's side upper control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the passenger's side upper control arm was replaced. The contact stated that a year later the failure recurred on the passenger's side upper control arm and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the front and rear suspension were leaning to the passenger's side. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,451.
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model-X. The contact stated while reversing out of the resident garage at approximately 2 MPH, the contact heard the driver's side front tire making a loud rubbing noise as if it had contact with the inside wheel well. The contact stopped the vehicle and examined the front tire and saw that the tire appeared to be off center and was touching the front wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had called the dealer who arrived and drove the vehicle approximately five feet and diagnosed the failure as a fractured control arm. The vehicle was towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,800.
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model-X. The contact stated while reversing, the contact noticed that the front driver's side of the vehicle inadvertently lowered, and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the front driver's side wheel was resting on the inner wheel well liner. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver's and passenger's side suspension fore-link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and authorized the repair of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the front suspension of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The contact indicated that the sound was caused by insufficient lubrication of the suspension ball joint and socket during manufacturing of the vehicle and the manufacturer was aware of the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving down the driveway, the front suspension system failed rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local service center who diagnosed that the front suspension was faulty and needed to be replaced. The suspension system was replaced, and the vehicle was fixed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
MCU computer has failed multiple times, including one time, middle of a very hot summer day, turning on high heat and rolling up windows, until computer rebooted (seemed like forever), while on the freeway. Tesla later notified us of a recall of the MCU, but repeatedly denied our claim, even though they admitted the MCU was the culprit, "just 'cause". The steering is greatly affected by front motor and its half-shafts. Had repaired right before warranty expired, but the problem remained. Tesla techs all warned us that it would happen again, which it did shortly after, and Tesla refused to repair it again, except to replace the failed components with identical components, all at our cost (thousands of dollars). Tesla techs said that the problem was a notoriously bad design of the half-shafts. …
While pulling forward to straighten out car into parking/charging spot at less than 1mph at EVGo charger in front of Meijer store the front passenger wheel made loud clunk and would not move. Another motorist charging said he heard it and offered to help. I called Tesla roadside from car's service screen and waited over half hour before being disconnected. The Tesla App provides NO applicable options for this scenario to report. I then called my extended warranty (X-care) roadside and after almost 4 hours obtained a tow to Tesla Service in Clarkston. Tesla now diagnosed that the FORE LINK ASSY, 1.00 RH(1041575-00-B) WASHER, NORDLOCK, 1.00 15.2X30.7X3.4(1033093- 00-A) NUT HF M14X1.50 [10] 1.00 ZNNI NL INSERT(1004358-00-C) need to be replaced. $400 parts and labor. Invoice attached. …
In Sept of 2022 I took my car to a Tesla Svc Ctr due to the ceiling panel had dislodged. Although there was a recall for this of which I was not notified of but found on my own, I had to argue with the young woman who checked me in. She denied that a recall existed. I had to show her the notice from Teslas own website before she conceded. I later received a note letting me know I needed front tires which wasn't unexpected but the next day, I received a new invoice with a note stating I also needed fed & aft links adding $1k to the bill. I didn't find a recall but DID find an applicable Service Bulletin but got no response when I asked about it. Flash fwd: 2-3 weeks ago I started got a, "air compression suspension disabled". I saw no other alerts & checked for service notes of which there were none. The car drove fine, so I thought the note would clear it itself but it didn't. …
NHTSA investigations
Fore Link Failure
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.
Suspension complaints in other Model X years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2016 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA has 151 complaints about the suspension of the 2016 Tesla Model X, 34% of the model year's 450 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › upper arm (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Tesla Model X suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2016 Tesla Model X, though it has 12 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 2016 Tesla Model X suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 3 fires and 13 injuries and 1 death 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.