2013 Tesla Model S Suspension Problems

Driver's side rear control arm failure. The outside knuckle of the control arm cracked and is missing a portion. Tesla agrees this is SB-19-31-001 and will not repair without payment, due to the age of the vehicle. Vehicle has been serviced by Tesla multiple times without comment that this should be replaced.

Driving at normal speeds and conditions my rear drivers control arm snapped off and wheel almost fell off , if driving at higher speed could have been deadly

Lower rear driver side control arm broke. A pop was heard at the stop sign only yards away (40 approximately) from my destination. Vehicle was placed into reverse to back into a driveway. The vehicle got stuck in the middle of the road and required a tow to move it.

I bought a used, but well cared for, gently used and properly maintained, 2013 Model S P85 from an individual in CT on Oct 8, 2022 with 77937 miles on it. I had the car about a month and a half of normal use when it ran well with zero issues, which included driving all the way from NY to VT over Thanksgiving at highway speeds with no issue. When back in my own town and making just a few turns to get to work on local roads on 11/28/22, I found myself losing control of the steering column and going off the road at a very low speed. The only indication that something was wrong was the traction light that came on just before I couldn't steer anymore and luckily found my way off to a soft shoulder. The front right tire was tilted in significantly and the car required a tow, and then a whole series of expensive and extensive repairs effectively replacing all components of a failed suspension system, starting with a broken control arm on that front left side. The incident left me shaken. Even when I get my car back, assuming I can find a way to pay for this (currently $4K+), I am now not very confidant in the new but insufficient suspension parts, learning that so many other cases exist and there's a class action being filed against Tesla for insufficient strength of these parts to sustain the torque of the Teslas. This car wasn't subjected to any accident or abnormal use, it was only driven as intended. The damages however were extreme and sudden. I've included the current invoice from the dealer on the repairs, which grew daily as they investigated further, photos of the car tire and it being towed, and messages between myself and the Tesla service center. Thank you for your consideration.

REAR PASSANGER CONTROL ARM CRACKED AND BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. TIRE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND MAKE DRIVING UNSAFE.

Component failed: Rear subframe cracked Safety risk: Car not stable to drive at speed, drive unit can twist or flop/drop Confirmed issue w/ dealer who is also manufacturer. Root cause of failure not established, but no signs of collision. Working hypothesis is metal fatigue or stress as metal part is not built thick enough to withstand force places on it causing shearing. There are no warning lights or lamps, no symptoms prior to failure.

In June, began hearing noise from the front suspension area while turning at speeds from 0-45 mph. I created a service appointment and I was initially told the front control arms and shock needed to be replaced due to wear and tear and would not be covered under warranty. Was informed the shock was leaking and it was required to be replaced in conjunction with the control arms repair. Was told “I won’t say its safe to drive, because at some point it can fail ”by the service advisor on 7/6/21 on a recorded line (recording available but not able to be uploaded here). To me, this indicates a safety concern; however, I was told it is a wear item that commonly needs to be replaced on older cars due to mileage/age of car and is not checked on the annual service unless there is noise or problem. However, suspension items are not listed anywhere on the website, manual, or 2013 esa, or original warranty as being wear items needing replacement/checks after a set mileage or vehicle age. Having an annual service that does not check a wear item that appears to have turned into a safety item – makes no sense. Additionally, the front suspension was checked on 2021.2.11 @ 82,562 miles as evident by the uploaded service invoice. At the time, there was a difference of 6,146 miles and less than 5 months since the suspension check. I pointed the above concerns out and how I knew there was a pending NHTSA investigation into control arm failures, and it was then determined that the control arms could be replaced under warranty and the in conjunction and required spring would be customer pay per the ESA contract.

MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING SOME LOUD CREAKING/SQUEAKY NOISES WHEN TURNING AND GOING OVER BUMPS AT ANY SPEED OR PARKED. I HAD IT INSPECTED BY A TESLA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID THE LEFT CONTROL ARM IS STARTING TO FAIL AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE FORE LINK ASSEMBLY TO ADDRESS SOME RATTLING NOISE THAT WAS GOING ON ALSO. I RECENTLY READ THAT TESLA HAD ISSUED A RECALL IN CHINA FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE MODEL S AND IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE IN THE US. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THIS INVESTIGATION AS IT SEEMS THAT I'M BEING AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM.

CHANGED THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BEFORE FULL FAILURE OCCURRED. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, TECHNICIANS NOTED THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WAS ON VERGE OF COLLAPSE AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. UNDER THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN THEY REPLACED THE REAR CONTROL ARMS AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE AND CHARGED FOR THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW FOR THIS SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR FLAW, LEAVING USERS UNAWARE AND WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE LOSS OF LIFE.

1. DRIVING SCREEN FAILED. 2. DURING WET WEATHER BRAKES WILL NOT SLOW DOWN CAR FOR 3 SECONDS...VERY DISTRUBING 3. 2013 MODEL S WITH UNDER 100K MILES HAD FONT END PARTS FAIL. REQUIRED A $3,000.00 REPAIR. HAVE NEVER HAD AN AMERICAN CAR, EVEN WITH TWICE THE MILEAGE HAVE MULTIPLE FRONT END PARTS FAIL.

HERE IS A TERDSLA IN THE JUNKYARD:HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/38372462?ROWNUMBER=30 LOOK CLOSELY AND YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE BACK WHEEL HAS GONE WHOMPY. IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO TAKE THESE CONTRAPTIONS OFF THE ROADS THEN I CAN SHUT UP AND LET YOU GET BACK TO SLEEP. THANKS A LOT. KEEF

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://EREPAIRABLES.COM/SALVAGE-CARS-AUCTION/TESLA/MODEL+S/VID-44567577 THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED WHILST THE CAR WAS IN MOTION CAUSING THE WHEELS TO JAM UP IN THE WELLS AND DAMAGE THE LINER AND BODYWORK. FAILURE OF THE AIR SUSPENSION IS A COMMON DEFECT IN TESLAS AND MANY OF THESE CASES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE TESLA FORUMS AND HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA. ANY NORMAL CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY FITTING LIMIT STOPS ON THE SUSPENSION. BUT THIS COMPANY IS RUN UNDER THE RULE OF LORD ELON MUSK WHO MUST NEVER BE QUESTIONED. THERE IS NO NEED TO PRESS THE INSANE BUTTON. IT COMES AS STANDARD WITH EVERY TESLA. YOURS WHOMPILY. KEEF

WELL I LOVE MY FIST TESLA BUT AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAD TO GO IN TO THE AUSTIN SERVICE CENTER FOR A PROBLEM WITH A CLICKING /THUMPING NOISE AS WHEN I BACK UP I HEARD & FEEL. SO AFTER HAVING MY CAR A COUPLE DAYS FOUND IT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE LARGE DRIVE UNIT REPLACE THAT WILL BE STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SAY THE REAR SUBFRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACE & I HAVE TO PAY TO GET REPLACED DUE TO ' WEAR & TEAR ' AS SERVICE CENTER SAY, ON MY SUBFRAME IT'S NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT ETC.THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED THE 100% WARRANTY!!

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/44596360/PHOTOS/2013-TESLA-MODEL-S-CA-SAN-JOSE IT HAS THE TRADITIONAL WHOMPY WHEEL. SB-19-31-001 JANUARY 3, 2019 TESLA, INC. SERVICE BULLETIN REPLACE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES ON CERTAIN MODEL S VEHICLES, EITHER LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM MIGHT CRACK, CAUSING EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER OF THE REAR SUSPENSION." YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN MISTER GARRISON! TESLA IS NOT PROACTIVELY FIXING THESE PROBLEMS. EVERY TESLA IS A TIME BOMB. PLEASE SORT THIS OUT THANK YOU KEEF

WHILE SLOWLY BACKING CAR UP IN DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED AND THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED WITH THE WHEEL CAMBERED OUTWARD AT 30 DEGREES OR SO. THE WHEEL WAS TRAPPED IN THE WHEEL WELL AND UNABLE TO ROTATE, AND RELATED SUSPENSION PARTS INCLUDING A BRAKE LINE AND THE AIR SPRING MODULE WERE DAMAGED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT SPEED THE LOCKED-UP REAR WHEEL WOULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THERE IS AN EXISTING TESLA SERVICE BULLETIN, SB 19-31-001, WHICH STATES: "ON CERTAIN MODEL S VEHICLES, EITHER LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM MIGHT CRACK, CAUSING EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER OF THE REAR SUSPENSION." IT STATES THAT THE CORRECTION IS: REPLACE BOTH LH AND RH LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WITH UPDATED PARTS." THIS DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE. THE CIRCULAR, CAST ALUMINUM PART OF THE ARM WHICH CONTAINS A LARGE BUSHING AT THE OUTBOARD END OF THE CONTROL ARM CRACKED AND FAILED SO THAT THE BUSHING WAS NO LONGER HELD BY THE ARM. UNDER THE VEHICLE TWO PIECES OF THE CAST ALUMINUM PART WERE FOUND. THESE BROKEN PARTS WERE THE RESULT OF TWO CRACKS IN THE ASSEMBLY. ONE CRACK HAS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION, SUGGESTING THAT IT OCCURRED MONTHS BEFORE THE UNIT FAILED; THE OTHER CRACK SHOWS BARE METAL INDICATING THAT IT JUST OCCURRED. THE TESLA SB STATES THAT THIS DEFECT IS A "KNOWN NON-SAFETY-RELATED CONDITION." I CANNOT POSSIBLY SEE HOW THIS IS A "NON-SAFETY-RELATED" ISSUE -- IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. TESLA SERVICE HAS QUOTED ALMOST $4000 FOR REPAIR, BUT THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE PER THE SERVICE BULLETIN -- IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE IGNORING THE BULLETIN. OTHERS ON THE TESLA FORUMS ARE HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME CONTROL ARM FAILURES. THE SITUATION IS UNNERVING AND DISCOURAGING.

WAS SUPERCHARGING ABOUT 7 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME, MY SCREEN TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT REBOOT.. THE DREADED MCU FAILURE EVERY TESLA OWNER FEARS, AND EVERY SERVICE CENTER PRETENDS DOES NOT EXIST. MY CAR WOULD NOT POWER OFF, AS WE WERE AT THE BEACH MY A/C WAS ON FULL BLAST. MY CAR WAS NOW DRIVEABLE WITH NO KEY, AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK WHATSOEVER. ANYONE WITH OR WITHOUT A KEY COULD JUST WALK UP TOUCH THE HANDLE AND GET INTO MY CAR. I HAD TO STAY CLOSE TO SUPERCHARGERS AS MY A/C DRAINED THE BATTERY HEAVILY. TESLA ESSENTIALLY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ME TAKE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHICH WERE CLOSED FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS BECAUSE A MOBILE TECH WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE IT ON SPOT. SO NOW I GET TO DRIVE 7 HOURS HOME IN THE MOST STRESSFUL SITUATION OF MY LIFE. AS WE GOT AWAY FROM THE COAST AND THE TEMPERATURE RAPIDLY DROPPED I HAD WATER POURING OFF MY WINDSHIELD AND DOWN THE SIDES OF MY CAR AND OUT OF MY AIR VENTS! IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AND INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. MY FIANCEE HAD TO KEEP A TOWEL IN HER LAP TO WIPE THE WINDSHIELD EVERY FEW SECONDS. PUTTING THE LACK OF VISIBILITY ASIDE AND SAFETY OF A VEHICLE THATS UNABLE TO LOCK. I HAD TO MANUALLY FIND ALL TESLA SUPERCHARGERS ALONG THE ROUTE I ALSO HAD TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH CHARGE I WOULD NEED TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT STATION WHICH WAS QUITE THE TASK DUE TO THE HIGH A/C DRAIN. AFTER OUR LAST CHARGING STOP WE HAD MAYBE 120 MILES TO GO AND I CHARGED TO 170ISH.. AT LEAST 50 MORE THAN NECESSARY. THERE WAS ONE POINT ON OUR TRIP WHERE WE HAD 16 MILES REMAINING AND 17 TO GO. SOMEHOW THROUGH A LITTLE HELP FROM THE MAN ABOVE WE MADE IT HOME WITH A COUPLE MILES TO SPARE. IT COMPLETELY ASTOUNDS ME THAT TESLA COULD JUST BRUSH OFF SUCH A HORRENDOUS FAILURE OF A VERY WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED ISSUE. IT'S NOT A CHANCE OF IF IT FAILS AS TO A MATTER OF WHEN. STOCK PRICES MATTER MORE THAN A CUSTOMERS SAFETY.

MY TESLA HAS THE WELL KNOW 'BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH' DUE TO EMMC FAILURE. WITHOUT THIS, MOST FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK. THIS INCLUDES SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENTS, AC/HEAT, BACKUP CAMERA, RADIO, NAVIGATION, ETC. TESLA HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE TO GET A LIVE PERSON ON THE PHONE, UNLESS IT'S FOR NEW CAR SALES. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR US BUT IT'S 3 WEEKS AWAY AND WE CANNOT WAIT THAT LONG TO HAVE THE CAR MOBILE AGAIN. I WILL LIKELY TAKE THE EMMC OUT MYSELF, MAIL IT TO SOMEONE FOR REPLACEMENT, AND PAY ABOUT 700.00.

THIS IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DEADLY WEAKNESS OF TESLA SUSPENSIONS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED A SUBSTITUTE VIN SINCE THE VIN OF THE AFFECTED CAR IS UNAVAILABLE. THIS SHOULD NOT MATTER AS THIS IS A SYSTEMIC FAILURE AFFECTING EVERY TESLA ON THE ROADS. HERE IS A THREAD ON THE OFFICIAL TESLA MOTORS FORUM WHICH ONLY ALLOWS POSTS BY VERIFIED OWNERS. HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM/FORUM/FORUMS/REAR-LOWER-CONTROL-ARM-FAILED THE LATEST IN A LONG STRING OF FAILURES IS REPORTED HERE : NATECVAL | JULY 14, 2020 I HAD AN NEARLY IDENTICAL ISSUE! REAR PASSENGER SUSPENSION FAILURE. AFTER NORMAL DRIVE HOME FROM WORK WITH NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENING. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BEGAN TO BACK UP TOWARDS MY DRIVEWAY AND THE WHEEL TIRE NEARLY FELL OFF. VERY UNNERVING SINCE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY OVER THE WEEKEND TRAVELING 85 MPH, THANK GOD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL UP MY DASH CAM FOOTAGE AND SEE THE EXACT MOMENT THE PART CAM FLYING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR. THEN DROVE BACK AND FOUND IT ON THE ROAD. WITH OUR OTHER VEHICLE. HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/AG022FHSZ7M PICTURES- 2013 TESLA S85 REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. HTTPS://IMGUR.COM/A/0H47AYM THIS IS INCONTROVERTIBLE PROOF THAT TESLA SUSPENSIONS ARE BREAKING AND PUTTING LIVES AT RISK. I HAVE COPIED THE PICTURES REFERRED TO AND THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THIS COMPLAINT. CONTRARY TO THE CLAIMS MADE BY SOME COMMENTATORS ON THAT THREAD THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT. IT IS A CRACK THAT IS THE PREDICTABLE RESULT OF POOR QUALITY CASTING, BAD DESIGN AND UTTER LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL. I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. I THANK YOU KEEF

MAIN SCREEN MALFUNCTION. TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. TURN SIGNALS NO LONGER WORK AND CAR WILL NOT CHARGE. BACKUP CAMERA NOT USABLE. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT UNIT OVER A MONTH ALREADY.

THE MAIN TOUCHSCREEN ON MY 2012 TESLA S HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY- TOTALLY BLANK, RESULTING IN NO REARWARD FACING CAMERA, LOWER CHARGING RATES, NO CONTROL OVER SUSPENSION HEIGHT OR STEERING STIFFNESS; NO A/C, NO HEAT, NO SUNROOF CONTROLS, NO WIFI, NO BLUETOOTH AND NO CELLULAR; NO MAP, NO GPS. NO RADIO. *TR