Home · 2016 Tesla Model S 75 · Complaints

What 604 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S 75

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 (604)Crash / fire / injury (97)Suspension (204)Electrical system (137)Steering (81)Speed control (74)Brakes (52)Lights (49)Visibility & wipers (37)Body & structure (28)Driver assistance (28)Backup camera & sensors (20)

204 of 604 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters · page 8 of 9

Dec 28, 2016SuspensionCrash2 injuries

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/35774366/PHOTOS?RESULTINDEX=8&TOTALRECORDS=20&BACKTO=%2FLOTSEARCHRESULTS%2F%3FFREE%3DTRUE&QUERY=TESLA&QUERY=TESLA&DISPLAYSTR=SEARCH%20RESULTS&VIEWEDLOT=35774366 IT HAS BEEN IN A SERIOUS CRASH. THE CAR SHOWS THE SIGNS OF COLLAPSED SUSPENSION THAT HAS CAUSED ALL WHEELS TO BE JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. THE FRONT RH WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAS SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY AND THE WHEEL/TIRE DAMAGE SUGGEST THAT THE COLLAPSE OCCURED WHILST THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING FORWARD PRIOR TO IMPACT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND ALSO THE MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT THE OWNER JUST A CONCERNED CITIZEN. DATE IS AN APPROXIMATION. INJURIES REPORTED ARE AN ESTIMATION BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10937796

Dec 19, 2016Suspension

THIS IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA SUSPENSION WEAKNESS. HERE ARE 3 MORE EXAMPLES OF BACK WHEELS THAT HAVE SKEWED OVER WITHOUT HAVING BEEN IN ANY COLLISION. THERE IS A DISCUSSION THREAD ON THE NORWEGIAN FORUM ELBILFORUM.NO GOOGLE - SKREVET AV EMNE: BRUKKET BAKAKSEL QUOTE: TODAY BROKE THE REAR AXLE! POUR INTO THE INCIDENT THAT IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY TO THE AIRPORT BUT JUST DOWN THE STREET WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME. JADE ME BACK. BUT - BROKEN AXLE, THEN? AND ALTHOUGH P85 + IS A ROCKET I'M ACTUALLY A MODERATE MIDDLE-AGED-PLUS DRIVER WHO HAS COVERED AKSELRASJINSBEHOV. WONDER IF THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED BROKEN AXLE SPEED? HAVE TRIED TO FIND SOMETHING ON THE THEME OF THE FORUM BUT DID NOT FOLLOW UP SOMETHING. IS THERE AN EXHAUSTED TOPIC SO SORRY I POST.. I HAVE ATTACHED 4 PHOTOS OF CARS WITH BROKEN AXLES THAT WERE POSTED ON THE NORWEGIAN FORUM. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT NO WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED TO OWNERS AND THE FORUM POSTERS ARE ABUSING ANY OWNERS THAT DARE TO POST COMPLAINTS. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10936291

Dec 18, 2016SuspensionWheels

LEFT WHEEL FELL OFF FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE A BROKEN BOLT CONTROLLING LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CAR WAS BACKING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS WITH A SUDDEN THUD. THE LEFT FRONT WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE WITH THE TIRE TURNED AT 90 DEGREES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED WITH THE BOLT BROKEN. SEE PICTURES.

NHTSA ODI 10936088

Dec 17, 2016SuspensionCrash

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/33597246/PHOTOS?RESULTINDEX=10&TOTALRECORDS=23&BACKTO=%2FLOTSEARCHRESULTS%2F%3FFREE%3DTRUE&QUERY=TESLA&QUERY=TESLA&DISPLAYSTR=SEARCH%20RESULTS&VIEWEDLOT=33597246 PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE FRONT SUPENSION HAS FALLEN APART AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE HAVE BEEN DESTROYED WHILST THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE FAILURE. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 SIMILAR FAILURES. NO OTHER CAR ON THE ROAD HAS SUCH A HIGH RATE OF SUSPENSION FAILURES AND WHEELS TORN OFF. OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SUSPENSION FAILURES EVEN UNDER GENTLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHEN THE OWNER BRAKES AND SWERVES THE SUSPENSION IS EXTREMELY LIKELY TO SNAP OFF. THE SUSPENSION COMPNENTS ARE TOO WEAK AND HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO WHAT CAN OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT AN INTERESECTION WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING IS APPLIED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS.

NHTSA ODI 10936007

Dec 13, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL S JUST A FEW MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=23505090&ROWID=4&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THERE IS NO CRASH DAMAGE, NO AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED. THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE CAR HAS SIMPLY SNAPPED OFF. THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE MUCH TOO FRAGILE FOR A CAR OF THIS WEIGHT AND POWER. IT IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS THAT AFTER MORE THAN 100 CARS HAVE HAD SUSPENSION FAILURES THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. PLEASE ORDER A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10935087

Dec 13, 2016SuspensionCrash2 injuries

HERE IS A PRESS REPORT OF A TESLA CRASH IN THE NETHERLANDS. HTTPS://TRANSLATE.GOOGLE.COM.AU/TRANSLATE?SL=AUTO&TL=EN&JS=Y&PREV=_T&HL=EN&IE=UTF-8&U=HTTP%3A%2F%2FWWW.REGIO15.NL%2FNIEUWS%2FLIJST-WEERGAVE%2F32-ONGEVALLEN%2F25574-TWEE-GEWONDEN-BIJ-ONGEVAL-OP-DE-ZUIDWEG&EDIT-TEXT=&ACT=URL THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR TIRE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY WORN AWAY BEFORE THE SUSPENSION SNAPPED OFF. THE WHEEL IS GOUGED IN HALF. PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH WHICH WAS UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED BY THIS SUSPENSION FAILURE. PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPH AND DEMAND A RECALL OF THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10935142

Dec 13, 2016SuspensionSpeed controlCrash2 injuries

HERE IS A REPORT OF A TESLA CRASH IN CHINA THAT INJURED 2 PEOPLE. HTTPS://TRANSLATE.GOOGLE.COM.AU/TRANSLATE?SL=AUTO&TL=EN&JS=Y&PREV=_T&HL=EN&IE=UTF-8&U=HTTP%3A%2F%2FHK.APPLE.NEXTMEDIA.COM%2FNEWS%2FART%2F20160621%2F19662689&EDIT-TEXT=&ACT=URL THE CAR SUFFERED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THEN THE WHEELS FELL OFF. THAT IS A BIT OF A WORRY, TO SAY THE VERY LEAST. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10935143

Nov 29, 2016SteeringSuspensionBrakesCrash1 injury

HERE IS A REPORT OF A CRASH IN GERMANY. HTTP://BNN.DE/LOKALES/BRUCHSAL/TESLA-SCHLAEGT-IN-SPERRWAND-EIN THE FRONT TIRE IS PEELED OFF THE RIM. THAT COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE THE COLLISION AND IS ALMOST CERTAINLY CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION. IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE WHEEL TO HAVE TURNED A FULL REVOLUTION AND PEELED OFF THE TIRE AFTER THE COLLISION. THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION.

NHTSA ODI 10928676

Nov 16, 2016SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A TESLA THAT HAS JUST ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/39879946/?RESULTINDEX=11&TOTALRECORDS=16&BACKTO=%2FLOTSEARCHRESULTS%2F%3FFREE%3DTRUE&QUERY=TESLA&QUERY=TESLA&DISPLAYSTR=SEARCH%20RESULTS&VIEWEDLOT=39879946 THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF IN THE USUAL WAY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10926330

Nov 15, 2016SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=23502765&ROWID=1&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# CAR BUILT MAY 2016 CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE FRONT RH WHEEL SHOWS THAT THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL HAS BEEN TORN AND THAT THE TREAD OF THE TIRE HAS BEEN WORN DOWN IN THE CENTER. THIS MEANS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED WHILE THE WHEEL WAS STILL ROTATING AND WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY A BROKEN SUSPENSION COMPONENT. OWNERS ON THE FORUMS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION PARTS AND THAT TESLA HAS REPLACED PARTS FOR SOME (BUT NOT ALL) OWNERS. SAMPLE:FROM ELBILORUM.NO - ON MY P85 + FROM APRIL 2014 I HEAR THE TYPICAL SOUNDS OF A LINER THAT HAS GONE IN FRONT AXLE. MORE SPEIFIKT FROM THE STABILIZER BAR OR ONE OF THE CONNECTIONS, I HAVE NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO SET. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH LININGS THAT RUNS ON ITS TESLA. RECALLING THAT I + PACKAGE WITH STIFFER BUSHINGS THAT WERE AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. - GOT SWITCHED ON BOTH SIDES AHEAD OF A MONTH AGO, "LINK-SWAY BAR FRONT PAIR" WAS SUBSTITUTED. HAD CLUNK OF EVERY DUMP BEFORE SWITCHING SOUNDS JUST FINE AFTER SWITCHING. - SOUNDS LIKE "BAG OF BONES" WHEN I DRIVE OVER SPEED BUMPS, EMBARRASSING. TOOK A TRIP TO TESLA SKYEN, GOT FITTER AND HE HEARD THE HORROR SHOW, - THE NEIGHBORS MUST BEGIN TO WONDER IF WE HAVE A FREAK SHOW GOING. LACKING ONLY KILLER CLOWNS SIGHTINGS SO WE HAVE A NEW EPISODE OF AMERICAN HORROR SHOW. - IT WAS NOTICED DURING SERVICETHAT THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARMS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE WORN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. *THESE SUSPENSION FAILURES ARE CAUSING CRASHES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE *

NHTSA ODI 10926240

Nov 11, 2016Suspension

ANOTHER TESLA IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=23505090&ROWID=2&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# NO IMPACT DAMAGE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE AIR SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED CAUSING ALL WHEELS TO JAM UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS TORN COMPLETELY AWAY. THE TIRE IS PEELED OFF THE RIM AND THE TREAD IS WORN DOWN INDICATING THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING WHEN THE DAMAGE OCCURRED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE

NHTSA ODI 10925554

Nov 6, 2016SuspensionWheels

OWNERS ARE STILL REPORTING EXTREME AND RAPID WEAR OF REAR TIRES ON THE HIDDEN INSIDE EDGE THAT CAN GO UNNOTICED UNTIL THE TIRE BLOWS OUT. HERE IS A THREAD FROM THE ELBILFORUM IN NORWAY ELBILFORUM.NO/FORUM/INDEX.PHP?BOARD=49.0 SAMPLE: A: REAR WORN OUT AFTER 50 DAYS, 4000 KM. REPLY # 480 ON: FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2014, IN TIME 5:50 P.M." NOW I SIT IN VERDAL IN NORD-TRNDELAG WITH FLAT REAR TIRE. FAMOUS LIGHT VIBRATIONS IN THE REAR TIRE WHEN I DROVE ON THE E6, AND THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS LITTLE AIR IN THE TIRES AS IT IS 4 DEGREES. IT TURNS OUT THAT ONE REAR TIRE CAN NOT BE RACKING UP THE COMPRESSOR WIFE CAME WITH THE E-MEXICO. I STROKE HER HAND INSIDE COVER TO REVEAL THE "HOLE" IS. IT TURNS OUT THAT I TOUCH THE WIRES ON THE ENTIRE BACK, WHICH MEANS THAT THE TIRE IS COMPLETELY WORN DOWN ON THE INSIDE. THIS IS ONE OF FOUR PS2 TIRES THAT I PUT TWO MONTHS AGO (!) BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE WORN DOWN (AND THE CAR WAS NEW IN MARCH). HERE IS A LONG TERM OWNER COMPLAINING THAT TESLA IS UNABLE TO FIX THIS DESPITE REPLACING SOME OF THE SUSPENSION ARMS: A: REAR WORN OUT AFTER 50 DAYS, 4000 KM. REPLY # 497 ON: YESTERDAY AT. 3:32 P.M. " HAVE THEM TURN OFF SPISSINGSSTAGENE. HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOR TWO YEARS AND DESPITE REPEATED ADJUSTMENTS, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BARS WERE REMOVED AND CHECKED, IT TURNED OUT THAT THEY WERE DESTROYED AND ARE NOT KEPT SETTING. DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE RESULT MTP WEAR BECOMES EVEN, BUT IT IS A FACT THAT EARLY RWD CARS NOT STRUGGLING REAR TIRES _HELT_ EVENLY WHATEVER YOU DO WITH THEM. BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE "GNAWING" AT THE INNERMOST CENTIMETERS. THIS SITUATION IS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH THIS DISCUSSION IS BASED IN NORWAY THIS IS A US MADE CAR THAT IS SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD.

NHTSA ODI 10924537

Nov 4, 2016SuspensionFuel systemCrashFire2 deaths

THERE HAS BEEN A FATAL TESLA CRASH IN INDIANA. CRASH SITE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE REAR WHEEL HAS SKEWED OVER IN THE WHEEL WELL BUT THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE THAT TO HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY TESLA A FEW MONTHS AGO AFTER IT SUFFERED UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE THERE IS A CLEAR PATTERN OF WEAKNESS IN THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT THIS CRASH WAS CAUSED BY A SUSPENSION FAILURE. CRASH SCENE VIDEOS SHOW THE BATTERIES EXPLODING LIKE FIREWORKS. CONTRARY TO TESLA'S CLAIM THAT THE BATTERIES ARE WELL PROTECTED AND WILL ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME FOR THE OCCUPANTS TO ESCAPE IT SHOWS THAT WHEN THE BATTERIES ARE HOT FROM HEAVY USE THEY WILL IGNITE AS SOON AS THE COOLANT ESCAPES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER URGENTLY BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST.

NHTSA ODI 10924348

Nov 3, 2016Suspension

BALL JOINT EQUIVALENT FRACTURED WHILE PULLING OUT OF GARAGE. FRONT END FELL, NEARLY BRINGING TIRE INTO CONTACT WITH WHEEL WELL.

NHTSA ODI 10924050

Oct 26, 2016SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

THERE ARE MANY TESLAS IN THE WRECKING YARDS WITH BROKEN FRONT SUSPENSIONS. OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ON THE FORUMS OF VIBRATION PROBLEMS THAT ARE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SHAFTS. TESLA SEEMS UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT MAY BE CREATING A RISK OF SUDDEN FAILURE. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/FRONT-VIBRATION-WHEN-ACCELERATING-ACCELEROMETER-GRAPHS.72268/PAGE-2 SAMPLE: @MMCCORD UNFORTUNATELY REPLACING THE HALF-SHAFTS DID SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY FOR ONE MONTH. THE VIBRATION CAME BACK. AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS BY THE SC TO FIX IT THE CAR STILL HAS THE VIBRATION. NOW THAT YOU MENTIONED HIGH SETTING NOW I CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME. IT ALSO EXPLAINS WHY ONLY IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES I GOT THE VIBRATION. MY DRIVEWAY IS A BIT HIGHER THAN THE MAIN ROAD SO I HAVE THE SUSPENSION SET TO HIGH WHEN I ARRIVE HOME. WHEN I USUALLY LEAVE BEFORE HITTING A HIGHER SPEED ROAD THE SUSPENSION WILL STAY TO HIGH. THE MOMENT I PULL INTO A HIGH SPEED ROAD ( > 35 MPH, WHICH IS THE THRESHOLD FOR STANDARD SETTING), EVEN A MILD ACCELERATION WILL CAUSE THE SHUDDER. I HAD THE FOLLOWING WORK DONE: FRONT RIGHT HALFSHAFT - DUAL MOTOR (1030616-00-A) FRONT LEFT HALFSHAFT - DUAL MOTOR (1030615-00-A) FRONT JACKSHAFT ASSEMBLY - DUAL MOTOR (1030632-00-A) SDU RE ALIGNMENT FRONT DRIVE UNIT MOUNTING BUSHES ADJUSTING NONE OF THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM OR SOLVED IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THE CAR DOESN'T BODE TO WELL WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM HIGH TO STANDARD SETTING WHILE YOU ACCELERATE MILDLY OR STRONGER. I USE IT DAILY AT LEAST TWO LOCATIONS AND NOW IT EXPLAINS WHY I AM GETTING THE SHUDDER AFTER LEAVING IN EXACTLY SAME SPOT. AND YES IT WILL WEAR THE HALF SHAFTS PREMATURELY. ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED FOR GOOD? MY SC SEEMS CLUELESS AND THE WHOLE SITUATION IS EMBARRASSING FOR THEM REALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919206

Oct 5, 2016Suspension

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA MODEL S WHOSE BACK WHEEL HAS SNAPPED OFF. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=23148660&ROWID=5&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# THE BROKEN SUSPENSION LINKS CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN. THE TREAD IS WORN AWAY ON THE TIRE INDICATING THAT THE WHEEL WAS TURNING FOR A LONG WHILE BEFORE THE SUSPENSION BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. THE SUSPENSION APPEARS TO HAVE COLLAPSED ON ALL 4 WHEELS CAUSING THE TIRES TO JAM UP INSIDE THE WHEEL WELLS AND PLACING HIGH STRESSES ON THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THIS SAME FAULT IS BEING SEEN OVER AND OVER ON TESLAS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FITTED WITH BUMP STOPS OR LIMIT STOPS ON THE AIR SUSPENSION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 10914137

Sep 26, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A FORUM POST FROM AN OWNER WHOSE AIR SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED (SHORTLY AFTER AN UNRELATED VERY MINOR COLLISION). HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/AIR-SUSPENSION-FAILING-ON-THE-SAME-DAY-SOMEONE-HIT-ME.77914/#POST-1751484 "DOHMER, 25 MINUTES AGO NEW SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE TWO DAMAGES ARE UNLIKELY RELATED SO THEY WILL FIX THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. SEEMS SERVICE IS PRETTY GOOD SO FAR. I'LL KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY BROKE WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR NEXT WEEK" AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPH AND FROM THE OWNERS COMMENTS THE CAR IS ALMOST SCRAPING THE GROUND AND THE WHEELS ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WELL LINERS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE BUMP STOPS ON THE SUSPENSION AND A SMALL AIR LEAK CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO BOTTOM OUT. FROM LOOKING AT ALL THE SALVAGE WRECKS IT SEEMS THAT THIS FAILURE IS EXTREMELY COMMON AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS WHEN THE WHEEL WELL LINERS FLOG ABOUT INSIDE THE WELL. I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS CAR COULD PASS REGULATORY STANDARDS IF THERE IS NO BUMP STOP TO PREVENT THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSING TO SUCH A LOW LEVEL. PLEASE ASK THE MANUFACTURER WHY THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THIS SIMPLE SAFETY FEATURE.

NHTSA ODI 10909837

Sep 15, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A MODEL S IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=22506868&ROWID=2&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THE LH FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED IN HALF. THE STEEL BUMPER BAR WHICH EXTENDS ALMOST THE FULL WIDTH OF THE CAR IS UNDAMAGED. IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS THE RESULT OF THE CRASH. IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY THAT IT WAS THE CAUSE OF IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY SO MANY EXAMPLES OF SNAPPED SUSPENSIONS ARE OCCURRING ON TESLAS THAN ON ANY COMPARABLE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10907010

Sep 7, 2016SuspensionCrashFire1 death

THERE HAS BEEN A FATAL CRASH IN THE NETHERLANDS WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY SUSPENSION FAILURE. HTTP://WWW.AD.NL/AMERSFOORT/BRANDWEER-WORSTELT-MET-GECRASHTE-TESLA~A1EC61B0/70382423/ PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH. BACK RH WHEEL SKEWED OVER AT EXTREME ANGLE. THAT PART OF THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED BY THE CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 10904539

Sep 1, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A DISCUSSION ON THE TESLA MOTORS CLUB FORUM: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/HIT-CURB-AND-NOW-ITS-THE-START-OF-MONTH-4-WAITING-FOR-REPAIR.72674/ SADOWNER, JUN 28, 2016 HELLO ALL, I THINK I'M ON MY WAY TO A WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST WAIT TIME TO FIX A CAR WITH ZERO BODY DAMAGE. IN MARCH 2016 I HIT A CURB WITH MY BRAND NEW TESLA P85D. I BLEW THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND DAMAGED THE RIM BUT THERE WAS ZERO BODY DAMAGE. NOW WE'RE THREE DAYS FROM JULY AND I'M STILL GETTING THE WHOLE "WE FOUND SOMETHING ELSE LINE". YESTERDAY THEY SAID THEY FOUND A SUSPENSION KNUCKLE THAT NEEDED REPLACING!!! HOW THEY CAN HAVE A CAR FOR MONTHS ON END AND NOT REALIZE THAT SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS SO OBVIOUS AS A SUSPENSION KNUCKLE NEEDS REPLACING IS BEYOND ME. I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PATIENT UP UNTIL THIS POINT BUT MAN, WHERE DOES ONE DRAW THE LINE? TOWARDS THE END OF THAT THREAD OWNER REPORTS THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR BILL IS $30,000 THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OF THE TESLA ARE RIDICULOUSLY FRAGILE. THE WHEEL DOES NOT EVEN HAVE ANY BROKEN SPOKES. WHY HAS THE STEERING KNUCKLE BEEN DAMAGED BY A MINOR CURB BUMP INCIDENT? PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 10903176

Aug 24, 2016SuspensionFire

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FIRE ISSUE ON TESLA CARS. THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT FIRE IN FRANCE HTTP://ARSTECHNICA.COM/CARS/2016/08/TESLA-MODEL-S-FRANCE-BATTERY-FIRE/ THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN TWO BURNED OUT TESLA THAT HAVE SHOWN UP IN THE SALVAGE YARDS (PHOTOS ATTACHED). HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/22399814414/IN/ALBUM-72157661343139261/ THE FIRES IN THE SALVAGE YARD CARS HAVE ALMOST CERTAINLY BEEN CAUSED BY COLLAPSED SUSPENSIONS. THE TESLA IN THE INCIDENT IN FRANCE LOOKS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE ORIGINAL INQUIRY INTO TESLA FIRES WAS CONCLUDED WHEN TESLA ADVISED THAT THE RIDE HEIGHT WAS RAISED FOR SAFETY AND A TITANIUM SAFETY SHIELD WAS FITTED. THE RIDE HEIGHT ONLY REMAINED HIGH FOR A FEW MONTHS AND WAS THEN DROPPED ONCE MORE. THE TITANIUM SHIELD DOES LITTLE TO PROTECT THE BATTERY IN CASES OF SUSPENSION COLLAPSE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE VIDEOS OF THE TITANIUM SHIELD PULVERIZING A CONCRETE BLOCK AND A CAR ALTERNATOR ARE FAKED. HTTP://ARSTECHNICA.COM/GADGETS/2014/03/SHIELDS-UP-TESLA-MODEL-S-GAINS-FREE-TITANIUM-AND-ALUMINUM-ARMOR-UPGRADE/ THE CONCRETE BLOCK AND THE ALTERNATOR IN THE LOW QUALITY VIDEO DO NOT OBEY NEWTON'S FIRST LAW AND DO NOT EXHIBIT THE MECHANICAL STRENGTH THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED OF THEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AUTHORITIES HAVE RELIED UPON THESE CLAIMS AND REPRESENTATIONS MADE FOR THE RELATIVELY FLIMSY SHIELD PLATE WHICH IS ATTACHED ONLY BY PAN-HEAD SCREWS. IF THE CELLS IN THE BATTERY ARE HOT DUE TO RECENT CHARGING OR HEAVY USE THEN A PUNCTURE TO THE BATTERY CASING AND LOSS OF COOLANT CAN EASILY CAUSE A RUNAWAY THERMAL EVENT. PLEASE REVISIT THE FIRE INVESTIGATION AND DETERMINE IF THE FIRE HAZARD HAS BEEN ADEQUATELY RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10898376

Aug 11, 2016Suspension

HERE IS A MODEL S FRESHLY ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD. IT HAS DONE JUST 210 MILES AND THE FRONT WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS SIMPLY SNAPPED OFF. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY ZERO CRASH DAMAGE. THE WHEEL IS GOUGED AND THE TIRE IS PEELED OFF SHOWING THAT THE WHEEL WAS STILL ROLLING FORWARD WHEN THE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. THE FRACTURED COMPONENTS ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH. THIS CAN NOT POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A COLLISION BUT IS SIMPLY THE RESULT OF A WEAKNESS IN THE TESLA SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THIS DEFECT IS PUTTING MANY LIVES IN DANGER PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.

NHTSA ODI 10895158

Aug 7, 2016SteeringSuspensionCrash2 injuries

HERE IS A REPORT OF A CRASH BETWEEN A TESLA MODEL S AND A BMW IN SWITZERLAND HTTP://ELECTREK.CO/2016/07/26/TESLA-MODEL-S-UNINJURED-FRONTAL-CRASH-BMW-TUNNEL-GALLERY/ AT FIRST GLANCE IT APPEARS THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF THE BMW SINCE IT IS LYING ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE CAR. CLOSER EXAMINATION REVEALS THAT THE WHEEL AND STEERING KNUCKLE ACTUALLY BELONGS TO THE TESLA. THE TESLA STEERING KNUCKLE IS THE MK 2 VERSION WHICH USES A WEBBED H SECTION RATHER THAN THE HOLLOW CASTING USED ON EARLIER VERSIONS. IMAGE OF TESLA STEERING KNUCKLE: HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/25665362065/IN/ALBUM-72157658490111523/ I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CRASH SCENE SHOWING THE TESLA WHEEL AND SUSPENSION ON THE GROUND. THE MAGAZINE ARTICLE CREDITS THE TESLA WITH PROTECTING THE OCCUPANTS BUT FAILS TO MENTION THE DETACHED WHEEL THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. TESLAS ARE SOLD ALL OVER THE WORLD AND I BELIEVE THIS CRASH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DURING ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THE TESLA SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10893861

Jul 29, 2016SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A REPORT OF TWO TESLAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/JUST-SAW-TWO-TESLAS-IN-A-CRASH-ONE-NEW-WITHOUT-PLATES.74465/ "SOCAL JIMMY, TODAY AT 2:55 PM DRIVING DOWN PCH IN REDONDO BEACH AND SAW THIS, TWO TESLA'S APPEAR TO HAVE SIDESWIPED EACH OTHER. A COUPLE IN ONE AND TWO CHICKS IN THE OTHER. WHITE CAR HAS FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE BLACK ONE, THE REAR WHEEL IS BUSTED OFF. BAD NIGHT FOR THESE TWO FELLOW TESLA DRIVERS." PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR THE BACK WHEEL TO HAVE SNAPPED OFF THE BLACK TESLA NOR FOR THE FRONT WHEEL ON THE WHITE TESLA TO HAVE BECOME JAMMED BACK IN THE WHEEL WELL. IT SEEMS THAT THESE CARS CAN NOT BE DRIVEN HARD WITHOUT THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FALLING APART.

NHTSA ODI 10891516

Jul 29, 2016SteeringSuspensionCrash2 injuries

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/26502206?SEARCHID=2012603337 THIS CAR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CRASH. THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT HAS PULLED OUT OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE. THE TIRE IS PEELED OFF THE RIM. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN OF FAILURE IN THE TESLA SUSPENSION WHICH IS CAUSING CRASHES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CRASH, IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT THE BROKEN SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH RATHER THAN THE RESULT OF IMPACT DAMAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE SUPPLIED A FICTITIOUS US ADDRESS TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS, MY CORRECT NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS ARE SUPPLIED IN THE THE INFORMATION FIELDS. THE NUMBER OF INJURIES IS AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 10891518

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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 2016 Tesla Model S 75 verdict →