2018 Tesla Model 3 suspension problems
187 of the 1,028 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Tesla Model 3 name the suspension (NHTSA’s “Suspension” heading — springs, dampers, control arms and their bushings and joints). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the suspension
Source: NHTSA complaint database11 of the 187 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 6 · 2019: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 39 · 2024: 29 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 33
Half of the 57 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the suspension problem between 9,000 and 40,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,028 complaints in all about the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 33 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Suspension” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Tesla Model 3 suspension problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the suspension. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Please note that I have used the VIN of a junkyard Model 3 to make this complaint since I do not yet have the VIN of the actual car. This is a complaint about Tesla suspension breakages. Here is a video which shows in great detail what happens when the bolt on the suspension fails. Youtube.
Here is a Tesla Model 3 in the junkyard. Copart. Com/lot/60799809/photos it has not been in a collision, no air-bags have deployed. The front suspension has snapped apart. The cast alloy lower suspension arm has broken in half. This is clear evidence of a casting defect. Businessinsider. Com.
Model 3 in the junkyard. Copart. Com/lot/60870519 both front suspensions snapped off. Not in a crash.... Wheels simply fell off. Looks like this alleged "safety feature" i.e snap-off wheels is working a little too well. Please investigate thank you keef
Another good example of a Model 3 with the front wheel and suspension fallen off for no good reason. No air-bags deployed. No other damage to car, wheel and tire undamaged. It simply fell to bits. All the ball joints and steering arm snapped. Not good. Please look at the photo. This is insane/ludicrous. Thanks. Have a great christmas.
Here is a Tesla Model 3 in the junkyard. Copart. Com/lot/60239049/photos it has some front end damage but what is remarkable is that the alloy steering knuckle has cracked in half and the stems of both ball joints have snapped off. The wheel and tire are both undamaged.
What is on file about the suspension
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 23V235000 HighMar 31, 2023 · 422 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
NHTSA investigation
- PE26006 Lower Lateral Link detachmentopened Jul 29, 2026 · open
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 156 complaints alleging a suspension failure in model year (MY) 2018-2020 Model 3 and MY 2021-2023 Model Y vehicles. The suspension failure involves the detachment of the front lower lateral link, which potentially causes a loss of vehicle directional control. In most cases, there was no advance warning or indication that the suspension failur…
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Tesla Model 3
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems 286 complaints
- electrical problems 169 complaints
- airbag problems 146 complaints
- seat belt problems 105 complaints
- cruise control problems 90 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre suspension problems common on the 2018 Tesla Model 3?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 187 owner complaints naming the suspension on this model year (18% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the suspension on the 2018 Tesla Model 3?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 23V235000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do suspension problems show up on the 2018 Tesla Model 3?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 20,000 miles; half of them between 9,000 and 40,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Suspension" heading cover?
Springs, dampers, control arms and their bushings and joints. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.