2018 Tesla Model X Suspension Problems

Control arm squeaks. Only way Tesla fixes is to replace. Smoke fix is a 2$ grease application to ball joint but they charge 1500$. I have done it 2 times and now again happened.

NHTSA ID

11687129

Incident

Sep 13, 2025

During a recent inspection, the Tesla service center (at Los Gatos) informed me that my Model X is missing a suspension bolt, and they stated they do not now why and how it's missing. It is a serious safety hazard, as it may affect handling, stability, and safety. They asked me to get it fixed before driving it. They told me that it's not covered by warranty or insurance, but couldn't explain why this happened.

NHTSA ID

11680635

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

I was driving down the road and my car started shaking, I was about 5 or 6 miles from an exit so continued and within 1 mile a rod broke and fell on top of my tire causing me to catastrophically have to stop n swerve off the road in 5 o'clock traffic. I just purchased this car 3 months ago, no issues just happend all of sudden. There are reports of weak suspension parts for tesla specifically the model x and y. The suspension parts need to be recalled. I was VERY lucky to not have collided with another car and potentially causing a fatality.

NHTSA ID

11670369

Incident

Jun 30, 2025

My 2018 Tesla model X front suspension is making cranking noise and seems like it’s unsafe to drive. This is a known issue to Tesla and NHTSA but recall was never announced so Tesla service center is not fixing this issue. Could you please look into this.

NHTSA ID

11659397

Incident

Apr 28, 2025

The car starts developing very loud squeaking noise when the suspension is at work, when turning, and when accelerating/decelerating

NHTSA ID

11582137

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

Unexpected loss of Power steering and premature suspension failure caused loss of full control of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11575056

Incident

Feb 14, 2024

Took my car to a tesla service center to repair the suspension front upper arm in feb2023 for $300 Today the front suspension lower arm/forelink/aft failed and they are making the repair now. Repair costs is $1600. After doing some research, it seems the suspension issue on the model x is a widespread and faulty design issue. They fail with the car being just 5 years old.

NHTSA ID

11570083

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

I am writing to you once again to emphasize and provide additional details regarding the critical safety issue I previously addressed concerning the Tesla Model X vehicles, which is similarly affecting Tesla Model S models. My personal experience underscores the severity of this problem: I have had to replace five tires due to accelerated inner wall wear. 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. A growing number of 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. 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 not cost-effective from their perspective. However, this cost-cutting measure is putting drivers and passengers at risk. Given the scale and gravity of this issue, I urge the National Highway Safety Institute to take immediate action. 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. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety matter. I trust that the National Highway Safety Institute will act promptly to ensure automotive safety and hold manufacturers accountable for their vehicles’ reliability and safety.

NHTSA ID

11561686

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

Initially I noticed an issue with notchy steering, which is typically caused by faulty u-joints in the steering column. I took the vehicle in for service on 2/14/23, and the service center confirmed the issue and replaced the lower steering column. Almost immediately after picking up the vehicle from service, I noticed a loud creaking sound coming from the suspension when the steering wheel was turned. I brought the vehicle back to the service center on 3/29/23, where it was found that both upper control arms were "frozen" and required replacement, the lower aft links had play in them, and the lower fore links had cracked bushings. All front control arms were replaced. Luckily all work was covered for me under warranty, but the vehicle is less than 5 years old and has been driven less than 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11516840

Incident

Feb 14, 2023

When driving in the high setting in there is an abrupt, shaking and vibrating coming from the half shaft connected to front drive unit. Caused by the forces put from the drive unit. There has been 100s of report to Tesla so much so if they have created a dedicated service bulletin. There is a potential risk of catastrophic malfunction to occur if enough wear is put on the front half shaft. Tesla is reluctant to fix it due to its high complexity and cost but several service advisors have admitted it can become a safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11512831

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

In 2021, we replaced the suspension air compressor for our 2018 Tesla Model X 75D. Again, only about 8 months later in March 2022, we replaced the suspension air compressor for our Model X. And again in December 2022, we received an alert that the suspension air compressor was disabled. This alert did turn off. However, we started hearing the same noise we had heard back in early 2022. At this point, the suspension air compressor has again failed. Tesla has told us that they consider the suspension air compressor a safety component. However, they do not seem to have resolved their design flaw that is causing it to fail in an unreasonably short period of time. After some research, it appears to be a common understanding that suspension air compressors should last at least 6 to 10 years. And in communicating with people I know, that time frame is their experience on vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11510628

Incident

Mar 7, 2023

The car squeaks whenever it goes over a bump (not matter how small) or you turn the steering wheel. Sounds like rubber rubbing together

NHTSA ID

11509613

Incident

Feb 25, 2023

When the car turns or goes over bumps, there is a creaking and squeaking sound. TONS of Tesla owners have reported this and it has to do with faulty control arms and boots/ball joints. A good amount of people are experiencing this AFTER their warranties have expired causing us all to have to pay for something that should be covered by a warranty. Engineers have apparently determined that "After numerous evaluations, the development team determined that the Tesla control arm had been designed with insufficient moisture protection. Rain drains directly from the windscreen onto the control arm and penetrates the ball joint, which ultimately leads to the unwelcome, irritating squeaking sound and, in rare cases, can compromise steering precision." https://www.ien.com/product-development/news/22431772/engineers-solve-teslas-squeaking-problem#:~:text=Rain%20drains%20directly%20from%20the,cases%2C%20can%20compromise%20steering%20precision. Tesla apparently issued a repair bulletin in 2021 for this when my car would have still been under warranty. I was never contacted about this. https://driveteslacanada.ca/model-3/tesla-begins-notifying-model-3-owners-to-proactively-address-upper-control-arm-issues/#google_vignette

NHTSA ID

11507399

Incident

Feb 14, 2023

Tesla has a repair bulletin out for the half shafts of the Model X/S. There is significant stuttering/shuddering when accelerating moderately when the vehicle is in normal ride height or higher. Some folks experience it on the lower settings as well. This is a known issue that owners should not be responsible for payment/fix wise even if our of warranty as it’s a manufacturer defect that causes excessive wear on the tires in low, and on the CV boots and half shafts in normal ride height mode and higher when moderately accelerating. Out of warranty Tesla is still forcing owners to pay $97.50 for the assessment and $350 for the half shafts repair. This is NOT fair to the customers. Paying for a manufacturer defect is unacceptable for consumers and I entreat NHTSA to begin an investigation. Plenty of Tesla forums have this complain noted at length. Here is an example: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/model-x-shudder-shutter-legal-standing.243084/

NHTSA ID

11505982

Incident

Jan 7, 2023

The rear suspension has design problem that even within the alignment spec and normal driving conditions, the inner side of the rear tires are wearing off in an astonishing speed. This is s a known issue to all customers. Just in my personal case, the inner side of the rear tire wear off to thread within about 5000 miles driving and began leaking. This has extremely serious potential danger in local and highway driving situations. Since the normal car maintenance work hardly could take it nner side tire data. Very high percentage of drivers are driving the car with danger now on the road without any knowledge and preparness for the danger. This put not only the Tesla MX driver in danger, but also everyone around the vehicle, which leads this to a imminent public safety issue. Also, the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance is way inadequate, especially they deny any liability on n this problem, and never officially remind the consumer until the problem surfaced. This policy is also extremely unfair to Tesla's frontline workers. They have experience hostile environments from real world to execute this dangerous company policy. A immediate mandatory recall is highly suggested to inspect all MX models affected. Before a sound technical solution is perfected, consumers should be advised with options to safely drive this car, or this car should be banned from public roads.

NHTSA ID

11489554

Incident

Sep 19, 2022

Under normal acceration..the car shake and vibrate violently. This is a known Tesla design flaw on all MODEL X. Tesla even issue a Technical Service Bulletin to address the design flaw. This shudder...shake... and vibration is very dangerous and could cause the drive shaft to separate from the drive unit. This will cause an abruption separation and stall in a middle of an intersection

NHTSA ID

11469196

Incident

Jun 14, 2022

Under normal acceleration, car shake and vibrate violently. This is a known design flaw in all AWD model x and s. Tesla issue a TSB...but still refuse to fix design flaw for free

NHTSA ID

11467531

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Tesla Model X has a camber issue that is a design flaw base on its weight and torque, The camber on Model X is fixed and non adjustable. Its setting cause most of the Model x to wear excessively on the inner wall of the tires. Consumer can not visually see the wear section unless the tires are dismounted. This hidden flaw may cause drive to have a blown tire if not check regularly, it also cause owner to get brand new tires when its 1/3 of tire warranty life. This can be easy fix by recall all Model x and switch out a camber that's adjusted to the right weight and Torque or switch it out with a adjustable camber for service center to be able to adjust the camber to make the tire wear out evenly

NHTSA ID

11463403

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The suspension is very loud, and sounds like it is going to break. A Tesla technician who was fixing another issue indicated that it is the Upper Control Arm, which seems to be a constant issue with this car. While we did schedule this to be fixed (for next week - they have estimated the cost of repair is over $1000), I fear that it could be a significant safety issue if there were a failure of the upper control arms. No warning light or any other type of warning occurred, which could lead others to not know they need to get this fixed. Tesla has issued a recall in China for this issue.

NHTSA ID

11436930

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

On Saturday, May 21, 2021 I left home to go to the health club about a mile and a half from my house. I noticed the light was very bumpy. It just did not feel right. Came home And noticed did the car head problem with the suspension. Both front wheels seem to be Forli suspended. Please see the photographs of the front of the car and front passenger as well as front driver side wheels and suspension area.

NHTSA ID

11418527

Incident

May 21, 2021

Car warning alert code TAS_a217 while driving on highway. Light with caution triangle “air suspension compressor disabled”.

NHTSA ID

11418239

Incident

May 23, 2021

ANOTHER MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://EREPAIRABLES.COM/SALVAGE-CARS-AUCTION/TESLA/MODEL+X/VID-45676613 BACK WHEEL FELL OFF. NO NEED FOR ME TO SAY ANY MORE. YOURS ANNOYINGLY \KEEF

NHTSA ID

11398810

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

20,000 mi

HERE IS A 2018 MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37209026?ROWNUMBER=4 DESPITE THIS BEING A LATE MODEL CAR WITH THE SUPPOSEDLY IMPROVED STRENGTH SUSPENSION COMPONENTS THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS BEEN WRENCHED OFF BY THE TORQUE OF THE MOTOR THIS IS NOT COLLISION DAMAGE. IT IS BAD DESIGN AND BAD MANUFACTURING. THE PICTURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. PLEASE STOP ALLOWING THESE MURDEROUS MACHINES TO SLAUGHTER EVEN MORE PEOPLE. I AM BEGGING YOU. PLEASE STOP THIS NEEDLESS SLAUGHTER. THANK YOU KEEF

NHTSA ID

11351235

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

20,000 mi

HERE IS A TESLA IN ITS NATURAL HABITAT (THE JUNKYARD) HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37162673?ROWNUMBER=8 THIS TIME TESLA HAS REALLY GONE THE EXTRA MILE. THE CAST MONKEY METAL STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SHATTERED AND THE WHEEL HAS FLIPPED 180 DEGREES. PERHAPS TESLA CAN DO AN OVER THE AIR UPDATE AND FIX THIS. JUST IN CASE THAT FAILS COULD YOU PLEASE ISSUE AN URGENT RECALL AND GROUND THE ENTIRE FLEET ( EXCEPT FOR ELON MUSK'S PERSONAL VEHICLE) THANK YOU KEEF

NHTSA ID

11350517

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

25,000 mi

2018 MODEL X IN JUNKYARD. HTTPS://EREPAIRABLES.COM/SALVAGE-CARS-AUCTION/TESLA/MODEL+X/VID-42705525 BACK WHEEL GONE WHOMPY. THAT'S IT. SORRY TO DISTURB YOU WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11329845

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

20,000 mi