2021 Tesla Model Y suspension problems
77 of the 1,080 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Tesla Model Y name the suspension (NHTSA’s “Suspension” heading — springs, dampers, control arms and their bushings and joints). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls, 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 database5 of the 77 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 29
Half of the 17 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the suspension problem between 0 and 45,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,080 complaints in all about the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 29 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 Y 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.
Upon arriving home last night with our 3 kids, my wife reported a loud clunking noise coming from the right front wheel area, and said the car felt unstable. After investigation I realized the bolts on the lower control arm have backed almost completely out. I’m very thankful they made it home safe.
2021 Tesla Model Y LR AWD- RUCA (Right Upper Control Arm) started to creak and squeak (sound like a very old mattress). Dealer was contacted. An invoice was sent and was quoted an outrageous repair price. Deal was informed that this is a well known issue and a flaw in the built of the part.
Suspension is failed at 68,000 miles. Their technicians don't know how to service suspension system, when there are any issues, they just replace parts and rob customers for diagnostic and test drive charges. After service my suspension is still making same noise and that will lead my car to a safety issues. Parts may be fall a part.
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that on various occasions, while driving at various speeds and making turns, a squeaking noise was heard in the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the braking system needed to be adjusted.
Suspension has a defect from factory that prevents proper alignment. Per alignment shop the car cannot be aligned to factory specifications. Premature tire wear is potential safety hazard
What is on file about the suspension
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 21V912000 HighNov 21, 2021 · 826 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.
- 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…
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Tesla Model Y
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems 846 complaints
- brake problems 182 complaints
- cruise control problems 161 complaints
- electrical problems 149 complaints
- steering problems 93 complaints
- lane-keeping problems 93 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre suspension problems common on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 77 owner complaints naming the suspension on this model year (7% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls, 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 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 21V912000, 21V835000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do suspension problems show up on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 7,716 miles; half of them between 0 and 45,000. 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.