2017 Tesla Model S Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 107about this part
- Share
- 25%of 430 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 107 complaints about the suspension of the 2017 Tesla Model S, 25% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,500 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Front driver side control arm/fore link assembly snapped and broke while pulling out of a parking spot. Low speed, standard pavement. Felt like I had run over a nail where the front of the car lifted up slightly, popped, sounded like a tire pop, but then would continue to drive. I drove it home, but could feel the car wasn't right. Steering wasn't very responsive.”
NHTSA complaint #11415985, filed 2021-05, 88,174 miles“Left front suspension part broke allowing the tire to jamb into the wheel cowling. It happened on a city street then was unable to move, needed to be towed. I found a small cracked aluminum part under the car. It sounds like the recall that is now being discussed, at first they said it was my fault but they were talked into fixing it for free, thought you should know.”
NHTSA complaint #11377042, filed 2020-11, 19,000 miles“My car's mcu (media control unit touchscreen) is near death and 900 miles from being out of warranty. The screen went black on me for an entire day before coming back and constantly freezes and needs reboots. During this time, I lost ability to turn on and off the headlights, must rely on auto. Lost ability to control the HVAC and defrost. Lost ability to adjust air suspension. Lost ability to use backup camera.”
NHTSA complaint #11331659, filed 2020-06, 49,000 miles“My car is only 2 yrs old and while backing out of a parking space in a parking structure, I felt a lift then lowering of front driver's side wheel (like going over speed bump, but there was none) then would barely drive. Told that the driver's front lower control arm is broken.”
NHTSA complaint #11310679, filed 2020-02, 64,000 miles“I was driving through an exit ramp and I felt something break on the vehicle and then when I tried to turn the vehicle, it continued to push straight. After further review, the rear toe arm of the drivers side rear suspension broke. This failure caused the rear wheel to be able to turn left and right.”
NHTSA complaint #11163379, filed 2018-12, 14,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10178413Jul 9, 2020On some Model S vehicles equipped with air suspension, a front-end rattle noise might come from behind the IP carrier when traveling over road transitions at low speed. For…
- 10148826Oct 9, 2018On some Model S vehicles equipped with air suspension, a front-end rattle noise might come from behind the IP carrier when traveling over road transitions. For example, when…
- 10110754May 25, 2017One or both front stabilizer bar links might be improperly torqued, potentially resulting in a knocking sound while traveling over uneven surfaces.
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 2017 Tesla Model S
114 complaintsOther or unknown
96 complaintsForward collision avoidance
69 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsLane departure
24 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
20 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsWheels
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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