Tesla Model 3 suspension problems, 2017–2027
318 of the 4,336 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model 3 2017–2027 name the suspension (NHTSA’s “Suspension” heading — springs, dampers, control arms and their bushings and joints). The loudest years: 2018 (187), 2019 (83), 2020 (46). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 2 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Tesla Model 3 suspension problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the suspension | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 2 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 | 46 | 10% | 3k | 6 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 83 | 13% | 10k | 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 187 | 18% | 20k | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the suspension. Nothing here is a rate.
When the suspension complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 6 · 2019: 23 · 2020: 41 · 2021: 23 · 2022: 25 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 51 · 2025: 33 · 2026: 62
Across the model years, half of the 105 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the suspension problem between 5,000 and 39,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the suspension, from the model years with the most to say. 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.
Here is a Tesla in the junkyard. Iaai. Com/vehicledetails/36045205?rownumber=2 not in a crash, no air-bags deployed. Only damage is to the rh front area. The tire is badly worn away.
Here is a 2019 Model 3 in the junkyard. Iaai. Com/vehicledetails/37267527?rownumber=6 not in a crash, no air-bags deployed, no bodywork damage. The front suspension has competely fallen to bits! What the fudge?? Are you afraid of elon or what? Have a great day. Keef
upper control arm is creaking, extremely common problem, we need to demand a recall
What is on file about the suspension, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 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.
- 21V835000 HighOct 25, 2021 · 2,791 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 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…
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 24, 2025
- A firmware diagnosis feature is being introduced on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that monitors wheel alignment over time. This feature detects changes in wheel alignment that may be related to incorrect tire pressures, degraded ball joints, bushings or damaged suspension links. If the feature determines that an inspection at a Tesla Service Center is required, a customer-facing alert will appear o
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Tesla Model 3
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems
- steering problems
- cruise control problems
- electrical problems
- brake problems
- airbag problems
- seat belt problems
Every system, every model year: Tesla Model 3 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Tesla Model 3 years have the most suspension complaints?
2018, 187; 2019, 83; 2020, 46. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (18%).
Is there a recall for the suspension on the Tesla Model 3?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V235000 (2019), 21V835000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do suspension problems show up on the Tesla Model 3?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 10,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 39,000. 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.