2016 Tesla Model S Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 211about this part
- Share
- 32%of 650 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 211 complaints about the suspension of the 2016 Tesla Model S, 32% of the 650 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 35 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle was in motion at about 30-35 MPH in a highway construction zone, and I heard a bang, vehicle lost control and was sent off the road. When I inspected the vehicle after the vehicle came to a stop, I noticed the fore link/forward control arm was loose. The stud that held the ball joint to the steering knuckle had been sheered off.”
NHTSA complaint #11377957, filed 2020-12, 49,073 miles“I was driving normally and had to apply brakes at a rail-road crossing intersection and my passenger front fore-link part of suspension broke. Vehicle became undrivable and had to be stopped in middle of road. I had to get my vehicle towed to Tesla service center in plano, tx and was informed that fore-link part of suspension is broken. It has been repaired now.”
NHTSA complaint #11373580, filed 2020-11, 36,140 miles“While pulling my car out of the garage driveway on 1/8/2021, heard a metal cranking noise and I wasn't able to turn the steering wheel to the left. After inspecting the wheel, noticed the front wheel on the driver side was touching/stuck the wheel liner. Scheduled a service appointment with Tesla and took the car to the Tesla service center today, they identified both front forelinks need to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11387906, filed 2021-01, 27,750 miles“I had just finished washing/drying my 2016 Tesla Model S (less than 22k miles), and while very slowly backing out of my inclined driveway with the steering wheel turned to the right, I heard an audible crack, followed by the right tire rubbing against the wheel well liner. On the driveway, I found a semi-circular piece of aluminum, which turned out to be a cracked forelink.”
NHTSA complaint #11210000, filed 2019-05, 21,816 miles“2016 Tesla Model S suspension broke off while backing up slowly (5mph) on my garage. The wheel end up scraping the wheel wall and became not drivable. Took the car to Tesla and they made me pay $3150 for repair. It's usual a suspension would break off at super slow speed on reverse.”
NHTSA complaint #11376814, filed 2020-11, 31,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10143592Jul 24, 2018Some Model S vehicles were manufactured with front suspension lower fore links that do not meet Tesla?s internal specifications. The lower fore link may contact the sway bar…
- 10110741Feb 10, 2017Some Model S and Model X vehicles may have been manufactured with front suspension fore links that may not meet Tesla strength specifications. In the event of link failure, the…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 2 | 33% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 4 | 3% |
| 2022 | 9 | 6% |
| 2021 | 16 | 9% |
| 2020 | 14 | 18% |
| 2019 | 8 | 18% |
| 2018 | 20 | 12% |
| 2017 | 107 | 25% |
| 2016 | 211 | 32% |
| 2015 | 150 | 22% |
| 2014 | 90 | 25% |
| 2013 | 92 | 20% |
| 2012 | 9 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model S
150 complaintsElectrical system
149 complaintsSteering
87 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsBrakes
56 complaintsExterior lighting
49 complaintsForward collision avoidance
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsFuel system
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology