Home · 2015 Tesla Model S 60 · Complaints

What 647 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Tesla Model S 60

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (647)Crash / fire / injury (79)Electrical system (256)Suspension (147)Steering (51)Lights (44)Speed control (40)Visibility & wipers (37)Fuel system (30)Body & structure (29)Transmission & drivetrain (29)Driver assistance (26)

147 of 647 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters · page 6 of 6

Jun 27, 2016SuspensionCrash4 injuries

HERE IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TESLA THAT RECENTLY CRASHED IN GERMANY. HTTP://WWW.DIGITALTRENDS.COM/CARS/TESLA-S-ACCIDENT-SURVIVORS-GERMANY/ TESLA CLAIMS THAT THIS CRASH DEMONSTRATES THE REMARKABLE SAFETY OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE TEENAGE OCCUPANTS ESCAPED WITH THEIR LIVES. CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS THAT THE TREAD OF THE RH TIRE HAS BEEN WORN AWAY WHILST THE WHEEL WAS STILL ROTATING AND THAT THIS CAN ONLY HAVE OCCURRED WHILST THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING ON A BITUMEN HIGHWAY AND NOT AFTER GOING OFF ROAD. I BELIEVE THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SUSPENSION FAILURES CAUSING CRASHES.

NHTSA ODI 10876720

Jun 26, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED AND THE BODY HAS SLUMPED SO LOW THAT THE WHEELS ARE JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. THE FRONT RH TIRE AND RIM HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE MODEL S DOES NOT HAVE BUMP STOPS ON THE SUSPENSION SO THAT LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. "THE RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT FAILED DUE TO A LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR TO DROP SO MUCH THAT THE WHEELS WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL, AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS RUBBING ON THE GROUND. THE CAR BECAME ABSOLUTELY NOT DRIVABLE. LUCKILY I WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD ONLY DO INCH-BY-INCH TURNS TO ORIENT THE CAR TO FACE THE TOW TRUCK, AND THEN HAD TO MOVE IT UP AGAIN INCH-BY-INCH USING WOODEN BLOCKS JUST SO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE BOTTOM WOULD NOT GET DAMAGED. WHY DOESN'T TESLA AIR-SUSPENSION DESIGN INCORPORATE SOME SORT OF A STOPPER TO STOP THE CAR FROM GOING LOWER THAN THE LOWEST FUNCTIONAL AIR-SUSPENSION SETTING? THE SERVICE CENTER TECH HAD THE SAME IDEA!!!! AT LEAST IT WOULD BE DRIVABLE WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED. I AM VERY CONCERNED HOW THE CAR WOULD HANDLE IF THIS AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH" HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLAMOTORS.COM/EN_AU/FORUM/FORUMS/AIR-SUSPENSION-FAILURE-VERY-UNPLEASANT-RESULTS THIS IS NOT GOOD!

NHTSA ODI 10876631

Jun 24, 2016Suspension

ANOTHER MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/23726316?SEARCHID=1302071014 FRONT SUSPENSION TWISTED AND BENT. NO COLLISION DAMAGE FORWARD OF THE WHEEL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO BE DAMAGED LIKE THAT. PLEASE ADD THIS TO THE LIST OF SUSPENSION FAILURES

NHTSA ODI 10876517

Jun 21, 2016SuspensionCrash2 injuries

HERE IS A NEWSPAPER REPORT FROM GERMANY. HTTP://WWW.ECHO-ONLINE.DE/LOKALES/BERGSTRASSE/KREIS-BERGSTRASSE/ZWEI-MAENNER-NACH-VERKEHRSUNFALL-IN-AUTO-EINGEKLEMMT_16183699.HTM TWO MEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN MODEL S SWERVED OFF ROAD. THE SNAPPED OFF FRONT SUSPENSION WITH HALF THE WHEEL ATTACHED IS LYING ON THE GROUND 10 METRES IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE WHEEL HAS BEEN SLICED IN HALF WHILST STILL ROTATING. THE REPORT STATES THAT THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE FREEWAY, BRAKED FOR ROADWORKS AND SUDDENLY VEERED OFF ROAD. PLEASE ADD THIS TO THE LIST OF CRASHES THAT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY COLLAPSING SUSPENSIONS

NHTSA ODI 10875694

Jun 16, 2016SteeringSuspension

HERE IS ONE OF MANY THREADS IN WHICH TESLA OWNERS COMPLAIN OF RAPID AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/OK-TIRE-WEAR-IS-PAST-RIDICULOUS-PHOTO-ATTACHED.71844/ THERE IS A PHOTO (ATTACHED) SHOWING TIRES WORN DOWN TO THE CORDS ON THE HIDDEN INSIDE EDGE AFTER ONLY 5000 MILES. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT OWNERS WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE TIRE FINALLY BLOWS OUT WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND OWNERS ARE RESORTING TO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DIY MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE TIRE WEAR. THESE MODIFICATIONS ARE PROBABLY ILLEGAL AND COULD CAUSE INSTABILITY. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/INSTALLED-ADJUSTABLE-REAR-CAMBER-LINKS-TO-REDUCE-REAR-TIRE-WEAR.38524/ HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/UPPER-REAR-LINK-BUILD-REDUCES-REAR-CAMBER-TO-IMPROVE-TIRE-WEAR.20378/ PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A CONCERNED CITIZEN FROM OUTSIDE USA AND HAVE ENETERED A FICTITIOUS ADDRES TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. MY CORRECT NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED TO YOU. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS LEGAL FOR A CONCERNED CITIZEN THAT IS NOT A TESLA OWNER AND NOT A US RESIDENT TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THAT I AM NOT ACTING FRAUDULENTLY IN ANY WAY.

NHTSA ODI 10874736

Jun 15, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A WEBSITE FROM CHINA WHICH SHOWS A TESLA IN THE MIDDLE OF A CITY WHERE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEED. HTTP://CHUANSONG.ME/N/301825551833 THE BACK SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY TORN AWAY. THIS IS A HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPH AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THE TREAD HAS BEEN TOTALLY WORN OFF THE TIRE AND IT HAS PARTIALLY MELTED FROM THE HEAT. A CHINESE SPEAKER WOULD BE ABLE TO GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THE WEBSITE THAN I CAN GET BY USING GOOGLE TRANSLATE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.

NHTSA ODI 10874306

Jun 10, 2016Suspension

THIS 2015 TESLA MODEL S WITH JUST 7000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER HAS JUST ARRIVED IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21562496&ROWID=1&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS IT APPEARS THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG HAS DEPLOYED SUGGESTING THAT THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN EXTREME DECELERATION. OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ON THE FORUMS THAT THEIR AIR SUSPENSIONS HAVE COLLAPSED AND THAT THE TESLA DOES NOT HAVE BUMP STOPS TO PREVENT THE SUSPENSION BOTTOMING OUT AND THE WHEELS JAMMING IN THE WHEEL WELLS. EXAMPLE: AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE WITH VERY UNPLEASANT RESULTS | TESLA MOTORS HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLAMOTORS.COM/EN_AU/.../AIR-SUSPENSION-FAILURE-VERY-UNPLEASANT-RESUL... JUL 30, 2015 - FIRST THE GOOD PART: TESLA 1-800 ROADSIDE FOLKS WERE VERY GOOD, THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER WAS VERY GOOD, AND THE SERVICE CENTER WAS VERY GOOD. TESLA CLAIMS IN A BLOG POST THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OK BY TESLA AND THERE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH THE SUSPENSION. HTTPS://WWW.TESLAMOTORS.COM/BLOG/GRAIN-OF-SALT I AM DISINCLINED TO BELIEVE THAT IS THE CASE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 10873556

Jun 10, 2016Suspension

ANOTHER MODEL S WITH THE BACK WHEEL SKEWED AT A CRAZY ANGLE. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=22250192&ROWID=11&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# IT APPEARS THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED CAUSING ALL OF THE WHEELS TO BE JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. PLEASE CONTINUE WITH YOUR INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS MATTER. WHILST THE LETTER OF THE TESLA NDAS DO NOT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT OWNERS REPORTING FAULTS TO NHTSA THE SPIRIT OF THE AGREEMENT WOULD PROBABLY DISSUADE OWNERS FROM REPORTING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10873557

May 25, 2016Suspension

ANOTHER MODEL S WITH A BROKEN FRONT SUSPENSION STEERING KNUCKLE. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/EN/LOT/23161406 THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL AND NO IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE CAR THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE COMPONENTS SNAPPING OFF. BY MAGNIFYING THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE FRONT RH WHEEL IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A DEEP GROOVE WORN INTO THE TIRE WHICH IS WELL BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE TREAD ON THE UNDAMAGED PORTION OF THE TIRE. IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THIS DAMAGE WAS CAUSED WHILST THE CAR WAS STILL ROLLING FORWARD AND WAS MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE IS A PATTERN OF FAILURE IN THE TESLA WHICH SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY WEAK ALLOY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 10870896

May 9, 2016SuspensionCrash

THIS IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A TESLA MODEL S WITH THE SUSPENSION FALLEN APART. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21706777&ROWID=11&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THIS CAR HAS ONLY TRAVELLED 2000 MILES FROM NEW. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE BROKEN PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE UNDAMAGED. THIS FAILURE CAN NOT POSSIBLY BE THE RESULT OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. TESLA OFFERS OWNERS OF CARS THAT HAVE HAD SUSPENSION FAILURES A "GOODWILL PAYMENT" IN RETURN FOR SIGNING A NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR SUSPENSION FAILURES ON TESLAS BUT VERY FEW OWNERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS. HERE IS AN OWNER WHOSE FRONT SUSPENSION FELL APART AND HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAULT MIGHT AFFECT MANY OTHER CARS IN THE WORLDWIDE FLEET OF TESLAS. GPCORDARO, APR 28, 2016 WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, ABOUT 5 MPH. THE ROAD WAS ROUGH SO MY AIR RIDE WAS AT IT MAX LIFT. AS I WAS PROCEEDING DOWN A STEEP HILL I HEARD A SNAP AND FELT MY STEERING WHEEL PULL TO THE LEFT. I STOPPED THE CAR FOR FURTHER INSPECTION ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT MY LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. TESLA JUST INFORMED THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, STATING THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A FAILURE. ******* AND THEN HE ACCEPTED THE OFFER AND SIGNED THE NDA. ******* GPCORDARO, SATURDAY AT 4:52 AM THIS IS THE LAST POST I WILL MAKE ON THIS SUBJECT. TESLA AND I HAVE COME TO TERMS. I AM NOT AT LIBERTY TO DISCUSS THE TERMS, I CAN ONLY SAY THAT I AM SATISFIED. I BELIEVE THAT TESLA IS COVERING UP THE SUSPENSION FAILURES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 10863851

Apr 27, 2016SuspensionCrash

THIS A FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE SUSPENSION BREAKING COMPLETELY LOOSE. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR COLLISION WITH A HONDA BUT THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE TESLA HAS COMPLETELY TORN AWAY. THIS MAY WELL HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. NOTE THAT WHEN THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION IS TORN LOOSE LIKE THIS THE HYDRAULIC HOSES WILL BE BROKEN AND LEAD TO TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE REPORT IS ON A FORUM IN CHINA. THIS IS AN AMERICAN MADE CAR SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD. OWNERS IN CHINA HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF MANY CASES OF SUSPENSION FAILURES. HTTP://CLUB.AUTOHOME.COM.CN/BBS/THREAD-C-2357-51626688-1.HTML THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE UNDAMAGED. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE WHEEL FALLING OFF. THE TRANSLATION OF THE THREAD SHOWS THAT THE OWNER IS COMPLAINING OF A WEAK SUSPENSION THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FALLEN OFF. PLEASE LOOK AT THE OVERALL PICTURE. THERE ARE SO MANY CASES OF SIMILAR FAILURES THAT PROVE A DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT AN INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA NEEDS TO BE OPENED..

NHTSA ODI 10861880

Apr 18, 2016SuspensionCrash1 injury

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL S IN THE WRECKERS YARD WITH HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/17976436?SEARCHID=1110743839 THE REAR OF THE CAR APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY UNDAMAGED EXCEPT THAT BOTH REAR WHEELS ARE SPLAYED OUTWARDS AT AN EXTREME ANGLE. THE ALLOY COMPONENTS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE LOADS IMPOSED BY THIS HIGH POWERED ELECTRIC VEHICLE. IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY THAT THE SKEWED REAR WHEELS CAUSED THE CRASH RATHER THAN BEING DAMAGED DURING THE CRASH. THE REAR WHEELS AND TIRES ARE UNDAMAGED AND HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY IMPACT. PLEASE NOTE: FICTITIOUS ADDRESS USED TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. I AM UNSURE IF ACTUAL INJURY RESULTED BUT FROM THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE IT ALMOST CERTAINLY DID.

NHTSA ODI 10859992

Apr 14, 2016Suspension

YET ANOTHER TESLA MODEL S WITH THE SUSPENSION BROKEN AND THE WHEEL COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF. CAR HAS ONLY TRAVELLED 500 MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. NO IMPACT DAMAGE THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE SUSPENSION BREAKING LOOSE. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/35327875 NOT ONLY ARE THERE MULTIPLE FAILURES LIKE THIS BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE A DETERMINED EFFORT TO SUPPRESS REPORTING OF THE ISSUE. HERE ARE LINKS TO THE CACHED VERSION OF A FORUM THREAD WITH OWNERS REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF BROKEN SUSPENSION PARTS. PAGE 1 HTTPS://WEBCACHE.GOOGLEUSERCONTENT.COM/SEARCH?Q=CACHE:WOGHKXVBYX0J:HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/THE-REAR-AXLE-SHAFT-BROKEN-WITHOUT-REASON.67935/+&CD=1&HL=EN&CT=CLNK&GL=AU PAGE 2 HTTPS://WEBCACHE.GOOGLEUSERCONTENT.COM/SEARCH?Q=CACHE:DS6C8VTD4LCJ:HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/THE-REAR-AXLE-SHAFT-BROKEN-WITHOUT-REASON.67935/PAGE-2+&CD=1&HL=EN&CT=CLNK&GL=AU PAGE 3 HTTPS://WEBCACHE.GOOGLEUSERCONTENT.COM/SEARCH?Q=CACHE:RHDCHCNZHBYJ:HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/THE-REAR-AXLE-SHAFT-BROKEN-WITHOUT-REASON.67935/PAGE-3+&CD=1&HL=EN&CT=CLNK&GL=AU THE THREAD HAS BEEN DELETED DESPITE IT BEING OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO WARN OF THE DANGERS. I INTEND TO REPORT THIS SITUATION TO THE FBI BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT FALLS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE THERE IS A FATAL ACCIDENT. . PLEASE NOTE: FICTITIOUS USA ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER USED TO SUIT YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. MY GENUINE EMAIL AND CONTACT DETAILS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED ON THIS SUBMISSION

NHTSA ODI 10855398

Apr 1, 2016SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL S IN THE WRECKING YARD. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/14952156?SEARCHID=1571797569 THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BROKEN AND THE WHEEL HAS BEEN SLICED IN HALF WHILE IT WAS STILL ROTATING. THIS EFFECT CAN BE SEEN IN MANY WRECKED TESLAS. NORMALLY IT WOULD BE EXPECTED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE APPLIED HARD PRIOR TO A COLLISION AND THEREFORE THE WHEEL WOULD NOT HAVE REVOLVED SUFFICIENTLY TO PARE THE WHEEL IN HALF. THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THIS CAR ARE MADE FROM HOLLOW EXTRUDED ALUMINUM AND IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT MARGIN OF SAFETY FOR SUCH A HEAVY HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR. PLEASE LOOK AT ALL THE EXAMPLE OF SIMILAR FAULTS ON FLICKR HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/SETS/72157661343139261/ PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10852853

Apr 1, 2016Suspension

THIS CAR IS FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21706777&ROWID=8&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# THE REAR SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY TORN AWAY AND ALL THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE SHEARED OFF. THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PATTERN OF FAILURE IN THE TESLA SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BOTH FRONT AND REAR. THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE MADE OF HOLLOW ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS AND SEEM TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT MARGIN OF SAFETY TO COPE WITH THE HIGH POWER AND HEAVY WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS URGENTLY. NOTE: FICTITIOUS ADDRESS USED TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. MY CORRECT CONTACT DETAILS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS FORM SUBMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 10852868

Mar 10, 2016SteeringSuspension

THIS VEHICLE IS UP FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. THE TIP OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY AS MANY OTHER INCIDENTS. THIS BROKEN PART APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH AND NOT THE RESULT OF IT. THIS PART IS WEAK AND IS FAILING REPEATEDLY PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21255219&ROWID=8&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS

NHTSA ODI 10845878

Feb 26, 2016SuspensionCrash

PLEASE NOTE, I AM NOT MAKING FRIVOLOUS COMPLAINTS. I AM TRYING TO ALERT YOU TO A PATTERN OF FAILURE WITH THE TESLA SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THIS CAR HAS HAD THE ENTIRE BACK WHEEL AND REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TORN OUT BACKWARDS THROUGH THE BODYWORK. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE FORWARD OF THE WHEEL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS.

NHTSA ODI 10838692

Feb 13, 2016SteeringSuspensionCrash

I AM RAISING THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THIS CAR IS FOR SALE AT A SALVAGE AUCTION. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21255219&ROWID=10&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THE TIP OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED OFF AT THE SAME POINT OF WEAKNESS AS HAS HAPPENED IN MANY OTHER INCIDENTS. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A 2015 CAR SHOWS THAT THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE RELATIVELY UNDAMAGED. THE PATTERN OF FAILURE POINTS TO THIS WEAKNESS BEING THE CAUSE OF CRASHES AND NOT DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. FAILURE OF THIS PART UNDER BRAKING LOAD WOULD CAUSE THE CASTOR ANGLE TO GO BADLY WRONG AND CAUSE THE WHEEL TO VIOLENTLY SWING TO ONE SIDE. THE STEERING ROD IS FRACTURED IN MANY CASES AND IT IS LIKELY THAT THE SHARP END OF THE BROKEN ROD SPEARING INTO THE WHEEL RIM IS THE CAUSE OF SO MANY SLICED WHEELS AS SHOWN IN FLICKR ALBUMS. HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/ALBUMS/WITH/72157664301101256 ONCE AGAIN, I AM REPORTING THIS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. THESE CARS ARE ON THE ROADS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND PRESENT A SERIOUS DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. I HAVE USED A FICTITIOUS USA ADDRESS TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS

NHTSA ODI 10826008

Oct 31, 2015SuspensionCrash

THIS CAR IS UP FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=20015788&ROWID=2&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED AND THE FRONT WHEEL HS BEEN SLICED IN HALF BY A SUSPENSION COMPONENT WHILST THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE OTHER WHEELS ON THE CAR ARE SKEWED OR MISSING. SAME, WHEEL SLICED IN HALF EFFECT CAN BE SEEN ON THIS OTHER CAR WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT FIRE. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=19224036&ROWID=1&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THERE ARE MANY OTHER CASES OF MODEL S WHEELS BECOMING SKEWED OR DETACHED. EXAMPLE HTTP://WWW.INAUTONEWS.COM/CRASHED-TESLA-MODEL-S-SPOTTED-IN-CALIFORNIA THIS FORUM POST MAY PERHAPS EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM HTTP://MY.TESLAMOTORS.COM/FORUM/FORUMS/AIR-SUSPENSION-FAILURE-VERY-UNPLEASANT-RESULTS "THE RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT FAILED DUE TO A LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR TO DROP SO MUCH THAT THE WHEELS WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL, AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS RUBBING ON THE GROUND." PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE SUPPLIED A DUMMY USA ADDRESS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I AM NOT A US RESIDENT BUT TESLAS ARE SOLD IN MY COUNTRY AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGER POSED BY THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10787423

Oct 21, 2015SuspensionCrash2 injuries

PLEASE DON'T THINK I AM MAKING FRIVOLOUS COMPLAINTS. THERE IS A PATTERN OF SUSPENSION FAILURES. THIS ONE HAS RESULTED IN A VERY SERIOUS CRASH. 2015 TESLA 70D IS FOR SALE AT SALVAGE COMPANY IAAI. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLES/VEHICLEDETAILS.ASPX?ITEMID=20460578&ROWNUMBER=2&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A MAJOR NOSE-TAIL CRASH. THE BACK WHEEL IS SKEWED OVER IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE OTHER DAMAGED CARS THAT I HAVE REPORTED TO YOU. THERE IS ZERO DAMAGE IN THAT AREA OF THE CAR AND NO REASON FOR THE WHEEL TO BE SKEWED LIKE THAT. AN INVESTIGATOR THAT WAS UNAWARE OF THE STRING OF SIMILAR EVENTS MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED THE SKEWED WHEEL AND ASSUMED IT WAS JUST ANOTHER TAIL-ENDER ACCIDENT. A POSSIBLE SCENARIO IS THAT THE WHEEL SKEWED SIDEWAY AND CAUSED A SUDDEN STOP WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY CASES OF SUSPENSION FAILURE WHICH POINTS TO A DESIGN WEAKNESS.

NHTSA ODI 10785214

Oct 20, 2015SuspensionCrashFire

PLEASE NOTE I HAVE USED A FICTITIOUS ADDRESS TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WEBSITE. I AM NOT A US RESIDENT, JUST A CONCERNED CITIZEN I HAVE ALREADY REPORTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TESLA REAR SUSPENSION AND I AM FINDING SEVERAL CASE WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS FAILED AND CAUSED A CRASH. THIS VEHICLE HAS CRASHED AND BURNED AND IS FOR SALE AS SALVAGE. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLES/VEHICLEDETAILS.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=19224036&ROWNUMBER=0&LOADRECENT=TRUE I HAVE ENLARGED THE IMAGES AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THE LH SUSPENSION HAS COME APART AND THE SUSPENSION ARM IS LYING ON THE GROUND. THE FRONT STEEL SAFETY GIRDER IS UNDAMAGED SO THE SUSPENSION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY HITTING AN OBJECT. THE RIM AND SPOKES OF THE WHEEL ARE INTACT ALSO. THE CRASH(?) CAUSED A FIRE IN THE BATTERY PACK. I BELIEVE THESE CARS POSE A SERIOUS RISK TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER ROAD USERS.

NHTSA ODI 10783859

Oct 18, 2015Suspension

PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE SUPPLIED THE VIN OF A DIFFERENT CAR IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FILE THIS REPORT. I HAVE ALSO SUPPLIED A MADE UP ADDRESS BUT ONLY BECAUSE I NEEDED TO SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. I HAVE REPORTED PREVIOUSLY THAT THE SUSPENSIONS OF THE TESLA MODEL S HAVE A DESIGN WEAKNESS. HERE IS FURTHER PROOF. THIS REPORT WAS POSTED ON THE TESLA MOTOR FORUM TODAY AND SHOWS A PHOTOGRAPH OF A CAR WHOSE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED AFTER RUNNING OVER A POTHOLE. THIS POTHOLE WAS NOT BAD ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE CAR, THE WHEEL OR THE TIRE BUT THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED AND CANTED OVER AT A SEVERE ANGLE. I'LL QUOTE FROM THE POST IN CASE IT GETS DELETED FROM THE FORUM. (I'VE SAVED A COPY) POTHOLE IN VIDOR TEXAS TOOK THE P85 DOWN THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN AWESOME ROAD TRIP NOTE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY INSTEAD IT'S A TALE OF CAUTION. ON MILE ~800 OF THE TRIP, WE FOLLOWED THE GPS DIRECTIONS TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SKIP SOME TRAFFIC. UNFORTUNATELY THE EXPECTED ON RAMP WAS CLOSED, SO WE ENDED UP ON A POORLY MAINTAINED STRETCH OF FEEDER ROAD JUST OUTSIDE VIDOR. RIGHT AFTER THE FORCED U-TURN SO WE DIDN'T END UP IN THE NECHES RIVER, I AVOIDED A POTHOLE ONLY TO HIT ANOTHER... AND THIS ONE WAS BAD. SO BAD, IN FACT, THAT WE BECAME ONE OF THREE CARS WITH OUR HAZARDS ON RIGHT AFTER IT DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE CARS. I THOUGHT I HAD POPPED A TIRE, BUT WHEN I GOT OUT, IT WAS MUCH WORSE. MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS NOW AT SUCH A STRONG CAMBER THAT IT IS RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL. WE HAVE NOW BEEN STRANDED FOR 2 HOURS WHILE A TOW TRUCK DRIVES IN FROM HOUSTON TO PICK US UP AND TAKE US TO THE TESLA AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP. WISH US LUCK. PHOTO TEXAS REGISTRATION NUMBER IS P05283

NHTSA ODI 10783186

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Working with the data? Download all 647 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Tesla Model S 60 verdict →