2020 Tesla Model S Suspension Problems

The vehicle has been taken to Tesla multiple times due to ongoing controllability and safety concerns. The Autopilot system will occasionally brake unexpectedly at green lights or when another vehicle is passing on the right side. The vehicle has also experienced repeated drivetrain issues, including the half shafts failing at least four times within a short period. During acceleration, the vehicle can be difficult to control at times, and the wheels exhibit noticeable vibration. Despite replacing two full sets of tires within two years and completing multiple balancing and service attempts, the issue has not been resolved. These ongoing problems have contributed to premature tire wear and reduced stability, particularly in wet or rainy driving conditions. The vehicle has been serviced by Tesla at least 10 times, and each visit has resulted in replacement of half shafts or other drivetrain components. At one point, Tesla indicated that the drive module was “off center,” though no clear explanation was provided. These issues have been present since the vehicle was purchased in May 2024. In several instances, the vehicle was returned after service without the problem being resolved, requiring additional return visits. More recently, Tesla has suggested the issue may be related to tires and wheels. However, this contradicts earlier assurances that those components were not the root cause. All tires and two wheels have already been replaced, yet the same issues continue to occur. Months go by without any resolution and then when the tires go bad again, they tried to sell me on that when that never resolved the issue. They tried to force me to buy new tires and wheels for $8000 claiming that to be the issue. The main has fell twice in the last year and was replaced with a battery that was not of light kind. When the battery failed at a Tesla supercharger, the door would not open momentarily. I will estimate the date of the last service. Cannot open due to open ticket

NHTSA ID

11736972

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

After getting new tires installed at Walmart I heard a loud knocking noise when turning the steering wheel. The Walmart tech thought that it was because the tires were too big/wide. Tesla said they probably forgot to put the car in Jack Mode and the air suspension fully deflated. Once the sir suspension return to normal the knocking noise is still there, although not as loud and not as frequent. Both the Walmart technician and Tesla technician confirmed the noise. Tesla said my front fore and aft links (aka Control Arms) are worn and in need of replacement. I read that this is a common issue and that Tesla has done a lot of repairs both in and out of warranty (Some goodwill repairs). [XXX] technician talks as if the parts are wear items. I asked why they don't have them in the service manual and I wasn't given a good answer. The technician said that the bushings and ball bearings are wear items and that the fore and aft links get replaced along with them. I was given an estimate of $2,330.69 for the repair. Attached is the invoice. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11588549

Incident

May 10, 2024

I am writing to emphasize and provide details regarding the critical safety issue affecting both Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X. My personal experience highlights the severity of this problem which included a tire blow out at highway speeds on a tire that had only approx 10k miles on it. This specific wear pattern is a direct result of improper camber alignment, an issue that Tesla has continuously refused to rectify. This problem is not isolated to my vehicle alone. Many Tesla Model X and Model S owners have reported similar experiences, indicating a widespread and systemic issue. The accelerated inner wall tire wear poses significant safety risks, as it can lead to unexpected and dangerous tire failures on the road, which is exactly what happened to me. Despite the clear evidence and numerous complaints from Tesla owners, Tesla has consistently declined to address this issue adequately. It appears that the company’s reluctance is rooted in the fact that proper repair or recall to fix the camber alignment is too costly. However, this cost-cutting measure is putting drivers and passengers at risk. Given the severe outcomes that this design flaw causes, I urge immediate investigation into this. It is essential to investigate these recurring problems with both the Tesla Model X and Model S models. The safety of Tesla drivers, passengers, and the general public is at stake, and a thorough investigation could compel Tesla to take the necessary corrective actions.

NHTSA ID

11565681

Incident

May 23, 2023

Front axel vibrations and noises. Tesla unable to fix.

NHTSA ID

11509212

Incident

Feb 26, 2022

Please note this is 2nd time in one year my axles being replaced due to vibrations and popping noise. They are also changing this to customer even know they installed wrong design axles previously. This should be still under drive train warranty which is 8 yers and u limited mileage

NHTSA ID

11492982

Incident

Nov 9, 2022

Front shaft shudder and vibration at high acceleration and this worst when it normal height or raise height. Design issues. Tesla know this issue for long time.

NHTSA ID

11449341

Incident

Dec 16, 2020

Suspension front end items became loose at 33k miles.Front Tire was at risk and did rub against drivers side front fender liner

NHTSA ID

11444767

Incident

Dec 22, 2021

Strut on 7-month-old car was cracked in several places, in a way that's extremely concerning. The metal of the strut looks very brittle (see pictures attached to this complaint). Never hit anything more than a small pothole with car.. Expected warranty replacement. When I questioned Tesla's refusal to cover under warranty, I told Tesla to keep the old parts and send pictures. When I went to pickup the car, they said they accidentally threw the defective part away, despite my requests to keep it!!!!! Their actions are very suspicious. Tesla is clearly trying to cover something up. Even worse, they're denying warranty coverage for the defect, and profiting greatly from it.

NHTSA ID

11418820

Incident

May 17, 2021

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39339176?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=11 EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REMOVED IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO SEE THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON THE FRONT RH SIDE HAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE TIRE FROM THAT SIDE IS STASHED BENEATH THE CAR AND IT HAS A HOLE GOUGED IN IT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FATAL TESLA CRASHES IN WHICH MECHANICAL FAILURE IS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER FATAL CRASH IN THE LAST FEW DAYS IN WHICH A TESLA SUDDENLY VEERED OF THE ROAD, CRASHED AND BURNED AND INCINERATED THE DRIVER. MECHANICAL FAILURE CAN NOT BE RULED OUT AS THE CAUSE OF THIS CRASH. IT IS NOT JUST ONE COMPONENT THAT IS FAILING. TESLA CHOOSES THE CHEAPEST COMPONENT SUPPLIERS NOT THE BEST ONES. THIS COMPANY IS SLAUGHTERING PEOPLE. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. THANK YOU KEEF

NHTSA ID

11402497

Incident

Jan 2, 2021

Mileage

5,000 mi

HERE IS A 2020 TERDSLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39122553?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=5 IT IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN STOLEN. I'M GUESSING THE THIEF DROVE IT LIKE HE STOLE IT. BAD MISTAKE TO DO THAT IN A TERDSLA. THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. EVERY PART OF THE SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED. THE CONTROL ARMS, STEERING ARM, STEERING KNUCKLE BALL JOINTS AND EVERY OTHER GIBLET HAS SNAPPED LIKE A CHOCOLATE FROG. I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO UPSET LORD ELON BUT WOULD YOU MIND AT LEAST ISSUING A WARNING TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE TENT BUILT ELECTRIC JALOPIES. THAN YOU. KEEF.

NHTSA ID

11397458

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

2,000 mi

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37713473?ROWNUMBER=25 THE SUSPENSION HAS FALLEN TO BITS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL OF THE SUSPENSION GIBLETS ON THE RH FRONT SIDE HAVE SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE IS COMPLETELY WORN AWAY WHICH MEANS THAT IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE THE WHOLE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY WAS WRENCHED OFF AD EVERYTHING TURNED TO FECULENCE. THERE IS NOT SO MUCH AS A BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND EVEN THE ALLOY WHEEL IS UNDAMAGED. THE SUSPENSION COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN WRENCHED OFF AS A RESULT OF AN IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE NOR EVEN BY RUNNING OVER A PEDESTRIAN OR A WARTHOG. THESE CONTINUING SUSPENSION BREAKAGES ARE THE RESULT OF BAD DESIGN, MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A TESLA HITS A BUSLOAD OF SCHOOLCHILDREN. THANK YOU KEEF ( DATE OF INCIDENT AND MILEAGE ARE ESTIMATED)

NHTSA ID

11364382

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

5,000 mi

HERE IS A 2020 MODEL S TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37268222?ROWNUMBER=4 IT HAS DONE JUST 1000 MILES SINCE BEING FACTORY GATED. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH ( BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE THE OWNER GOT LUCKY). THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED AND THE WHEEL IS JAMMED UP IN THE WELL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK. THE STUPIDITY OF NOT HAVING LIMIT STOPS ON THE AIR SUSPENSION IS MIND BOGGLING. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE LEAD TO ANOTHER WHOMPY WHEEL SUDDEN SWERVE CAUSING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION. I'M SORRY IF I AM UPSETTING YOUR BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM BUT WOULD YOU MIND ISSUING AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON THESE INSANE AND LUDICROUS CONTRAPTIONS. THANK YOU. KEEF.

NHTSA ID

11352034

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

1,000 mi

HERE IS A 2020 MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/36680476?ROWNUMBER=134 THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE CAR. THE LOWER FORE-LINK HAS BROKEN ON THE RH FRONT WHEEL. THE LH BACK WHEEL HAS GONE WHOMPY. NO AIR-BAGS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO SIGN OF CRASH DAMAGE. IT HAS SIMPLY FALLEN TO BITS SOON AFTER LEAVING THE MANUFACTURING TENT. ELON MUSK HAS JUST COLLECTED ANOTHER FEW BILLION DOLLARS IN BONUS FOR UNLEASHING THESE DEADLY DEFECTIVE JUGGERNAUTS. AIN'T LIFE GRAND? REGARDS KEEF

NHTSA ID

11343570

Incident

Apr 15, 2020

Mileage

200 mi

I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE MY OWN EYES! HERE IS A 2020 MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD AAAAAND...THE BACK WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/36693460?ROWNUMBER=11 NOT IN A COLLISION. THE BACK SUSPENSION HAS SIMPLY FALLEN TO BITS. OH WELL, AT LEAST THE TESLA SHARE-PRICE IS UNHARMED. I GUESS THAT'S THE MAIN THING. HAVE A GREAT DAY [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11337788

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

500 mi