2021 Tesla Model Y Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,093 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,358miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the suspension of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 7% of the 1,093 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,358 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Heard loud clicking noises upfront when turning hard out of parking spot.Immediately I Checked front wheels manually on looseness, but could not detect any movement. Decided to drive home (20miles).I was very careful not to steer to hard through curves. Upon turn into my driveway ( hard right turn which I took very slow) ,left front wheel suspension came unhooked and an approx 3” long x 1/2” galvanized bolt fell onto driveway. My 2020Tesla Model Y was stuck at the bottom of driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11493354, filed 2022-11, 60,640 miles“Parking my car when I pressed the brake and ready to engage park , car accelerated in high speed and drove to island and trying to control the wheel while my foot still on break to avoid hitting other cars on the parking lot , hit some curbs which cause the tire on the front passenger side came off completely with axle attached . This cause the car to stop and deployed air bag and caught on fire , that's when I immediately got out the car. The car mileage is 524 when it happened. Minor burn on my left arm from the fire and sore shoulder less than 24 hours.”
NHTSA complaint #11407155, filed 2021-04, 524 miles“Clunk noise coming from front end suspension while driving on the freeway. Then the steering wheel started to go off centered, slightly to the right, and had some play. The steering wheel had to be held tightly to keep car driving straight. I called Tesla and took it in to their lake forest service center. The clunk can be felt and heard while turning left onto drive way. Service was able to reproduce noice but was not able to pinpoint the cause. Tech did state that a bolt was 1/8 of a turn loose. Tech performed alignment and state thst noise went away. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386558, filed 2021-01, 300 miles“My 2021 Model Y has about 24,500 miles began squeaking when turning the steering wheel or hitting bumps. I read online that many tesla owners had the same issue. The design on these weren't great allowing water to penetrate these parts and cause them to ware down faster. I already paid for the replacement of the upper and lower control arms.”
NHTSA complaint #11734201, filed 2026-04“Front suspension makes creaking noises for a few months now. The car only makes noises when steering wheel is turned while reversing and sometimes when turning. Took the car to Tesla and they told me since the sound is not that loud and not really reproducible, then to bring it back when it gets worse. My car only has 34k miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11755436, filed 2026-08Related recalls
- 21V912000Nov 21, 2021Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2022
- 21V835000Oct 25, 2021Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2021, Model 3 2019–2021
Related service bulletins
- 11020192Jun 24, 2025A firmware diagnosis feature is being introduced on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that monitors wheel alignment over time. This feature detects changes in wheel alignment that may…
Suspension: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model Y
582 complaintsBrakes
181 complaintsVehicle speed control
162 complaintsElectrical system
152 complaintsOther or unknown
143 complaintsSteering
95 complaintsLane departure
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
52 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsSeat belts
27 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Tesla Model Y
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