What 417 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model X P90d

It appears that the front air spring module fails pretty easily and causes increased stopping distance. On my vehicle, this failed at less than 38k miles (left), and at less than 50k miles (right). Both times it required full replacement of the "Air Spring Module". While I expect this to happen eventually, both of them occurred on a fairly low mileage vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11480909

When I went to back out of parking place, I head something rubbing and car shuddered. Discovered when turning right the behavior would manifest. Drove across parking lot to tire shop. Discovered that the control arm fork had broken. Needed to have towed to Tesla service, at my expense as I was "out of the service area." Discovered there is a service bulletin, but no recall on this part? I am forced to cover repair expense, when their bulletin acknowledges the part is not up to "Tesla standards." Service claimed it was a "wear part," which could be true for bushings and connectors, not a physical piece of metal that started to rub the inside of my tire. I am told that they cover this in China, not in the US? Also, they apparently have internal memos on how to deal with customers over the issue. Currently I have been without the vehicle since August 4, 2022 with a targeted release date now August 17. That date is a moving target, as it has changed 2 different times.

NHTSA ODI 11479106

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the front suspension of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The contact indicated that the sound was caused by insufficient lubrication of the suspension ball joint and socket during manufacturing of the vehicle and the manufacturer was aware of the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474083

The air suspension system has failed multiple times and Tesla has been unable to correct with a permanent solution. I have read that this is a known issue with this make and model and wanted to report as it could be a large safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11473028

Lower forelink cracked cleanly at the balljoint luckily I was going slow or could have lost control of the car. The break was clean and looks like it was just undersized for the weight. When I had it repaired at Tesla they replaced all 4 lower Fore arms 2 on each side even though nothing was wrong with the passenger front, which leads me to believe they also realize this is a saftey issue due to a substandard part.

NHTSA ODI 11469856

Vehicle has a rattling noise in front suspension when on uneven surfaces, causing concern for my and passenger safety.

NHTSA ODI 11469635

Reversing my car into a parking spot at low speed, I heard a loud pop noise from front driver side and the steering became hard to turn. Attempting to turn the wheel and backing up so I am not in the way of other cars resulted in a grinding noise and popping noises. Drove the car forward so I am in an empty part of the parking lot. This lead to more loud popping noises and grinding sounds. Once I was in a safe area, noticed that the entire front driver side wheel was shifted backward and was not centered in the wheel well. While parked, I could move the driver side wheel back and forth with my hand without too much pressure. The same was not the case for the passenger side front wheel. Pictures added showing two extreme positions of the wheel in the wheel well.

NHTSA ODI 11466725

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model-X. The contact stated while reversing out of the resident garage at approximately 2 MPH, the contact heard the driver's side front tire making a loud rubbing noise as if it had contact with the inside wheel well. The contact stopped the vehicle and examined the front tire and saw that the tire appeared to be off center and was touching the front wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had called the dealer who arrived and drove the vehicle approximately five feet and diagnosed the failure as a fractured control arm. The vehicle was towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,800.

NHTSA ODI 11464372

The lower A pillar on the driver side front wheel just shattered. I was driving 1 mph and hit nothing. Had this of happened anywhere else the car would have flipped. Tesla is also “forcing” me to replace the other side since these old parts are dangerous. This was the recall done in China. Part is the Fore Link Assembly

NHTSA ODI 11462543

Driving the vehicle in a parking lot and at low speed turning the wheel, heard a loud pop and the front drivers side wheel starting hitting the wheel well. No warning signs or lights came on. After looking under the car a control arm snapped, I am very surprised this could happen at normal use at low speeds. If I was at high speed it could have been extremely dangerous. The car was towed to the Tesla service center on Raleigh, NC where it is currently awaiting repair.

NHTSA ODI 11459397

I was experiencing very loud noises from the suspension and/or steering while driving and turning. The tires were also wearing excessive and very unevenly. Within 500 miles, the tires went from 2/32nds to completely bald with no signs of tread at all and very chopped. I took the vehicle to Tesla for inspection. They came back with a repair order for $6,171 for suspension parts such as fore link assy for L and R, front suspension aft link, right rear upper link, air spring module L and R, sway bar link L and R and other misc repairs. I found that there were many complaints online for some of these components. Tesla offered no explanation why a garage kept vehicle with only 54k miles would have so many severe suspension issues and did not offer to cover any of the repairs even though the vehicle is just out of full warranty for time frame.

NHTSA ODI 11456847

MCU computer has failed multiple times, including one time, middle of a very hot summer day, turning on high heat and rolling up windows, until computer rebooted (seemed like forever), while on the freeway. Tesla later notified us of a recall of the MCU, but repeatedly denied our claim, even though they admitted the MCU was the culprit, "just 'cause". The steering is greatly affected by front motor and its half-shafts. Had repaired right before warranty expired, but the problem remained. Tesla techs all warned us that it would happen again, which it did shortly after, and Tesla refused to repair it again, except to replace the failed components with identical components, all at our cost (thousands of dollars). Tesla techs said that the problem was a notoriously bad design of the half-shafts. They said it was fixed in newer front drive units, but that our only option was to keep replacing the defectively designed parts. When it has this problem, the car wants to steer left or right, but never straight ahead, and can pull suddenly to one side, making driver appear to be drunk from the sudden left-right-left-right motions. Tesla experts have told us that the only fix is to buy a new Tesla.

NHTSA ODI 11442201

Driving in a residential area I was unable to complete a left hand turn (less than 10mph). I bumped the curb and ended up with the right tire knocked off of its suspension. Upon inspection one of the links was broken. The car came to an immediate stop and I could not steer it. In the drive leading up to the turn which I could not complete all left hand turns were difficult. Tesla offered no assistance since it was out of warranty and I was forced to have it towed to the nearest tesla certified body shop. The tires are completely inflated still- so even bumping the curb was not hard enough to damage the tires

NHTSA ODI 11438694

My car failed state inspection: "Ball Joint on Right Front Lower Control Arm has excessive play. Part# 1048951-00-B" This is the THIRD such part that need replacement since I have owned the vehicle (four+ years). The replacement solution was a different part, which was not compatible with the second existing Ball Joint (replaced in 2018, approximate) for the passenger side of the vehicle. Therefore, the second ball joint (which was functional) was replaced to facilitate alignment of the wheel. Therefore, I paid DOUBLE the cost to mitigate the issue. While waiting for repair service, at least two or possibly three other Tesla owners appeared for repair of the same type of issue. The concern is that the parts used in assembly were defective.

NHTSA ODI 11436477

Front lower fore links. Catastrophic failure while navigating a parking lot. Was told this just happens and that they just break... This vehicle only has 14000 miles. It was not available for inspection, despite receiving recent service. There were no indications of any kind that this kind of failure could occur or might occur. The car would come to an abrupt stop and halt. I have a major concern that it could have caused serious injury at any kind of speed. Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L9kSAakQmkkFVts8TIaKvAedru3I7wgf/view?usp=drivesdk

NHTSA ODI 11434697

I was leaving my gym parking lot, backing out of my parking space. I tried to turn my car and I heard a scraping noise, and the car was difficult to turn. I was able to make it the half a block to Tesla. (In the past I had this scraping noise/issue before and the car was serviced in Jan 2019 when a Tech rode with me to hear the scraping noise I was complaining about, and again in March 2021. At that time Tesla stated the issue was tire related and the tires were checked with no issues observed.) On July 30, 2021 my car was entered into service at Tesla Service Center- 6701 Amador Plaza Rd., Dublin, Ca. 94568 at 8:30am. I let Tesla know I was moving out of state August 8th, 2021. From 7/30- 8/16 Tesla would set a pickup date and then call me to push back the date . This happened several times. I had to rent a minivan out-of pocket in order to complete my drive from California to Colorado. Now on 8/18/21 my car is still in California, and I had to pay a shipping service to have my car shipped to me- out of my pocket. The issue with my 2016 Model X was broken left and right forelinks as stated on the service invoice. Tesla has stated that these parts were replaced. In researching this, I found that this was a problem with other vehicles of my particular year/model. There was no warning when this happened. I could easily have been driving with my family on a crowded freeway during our move, but I was thankfully in a parking lot. I have paid the Service invoice $878.10 out of pocket since my car is out of warranty. I feel Tesla knew about this problem. They failed to diagnose/fix this issue the 2 previous times I took it in. My car was under warranty the 1st time. My car is available for inspection to the NHTSA, and I am planning on having it inspected on it's arrival to Colorado next week.

NHTSA ODI 11429586

While driving straight at about 30mph on the parkway, the connecting rods for the front left wheel suddenly failed. This caused a dangerous grinding of the front left wheel against the wheel well, damaging the tire and wheel well, while pulling dangerously to the left. The car was not drivable after the failure. The car had about 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11427022

A suspension arm (Tesla called it a 'front left fore link') broke on February 2nd, 2021. I was drive about 5 MPH in a straight line to stop at a lighted intersection. There was not any undue strain. The car had less than 34K miles at the time. Towed the vehicle to Tesla and paid $2269 for the repair plus $100 to tow. Now the car wobbles (some call it 'whompy wheel') at low speeds (under 30 MPH). Have an appointment to diagnose on August 6, 2021. Tesla wants $210 to diagnose.

NHTSA ODI 11426802

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the contact heard a squeaking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact continued driving to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s side upper control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the passenger’s side upper control arm was replaced. The contact stated that a year later the failure recurred on the passenger’s side upper control arm and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the front and rear suspension were leaning to the passenger’s side. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,451.

NHTSA ODI 11425000

While driving slowly, making parking maneuvers, I heard a clunk sound from the right front wheel. Afterwards, sometimes when I turned right, I can hear screeching sounds. After bringing the vehicle to the Dublin, CA Tesla Service Center, the initial inspection revealed a broken control arm. Repairs call for the replacement of both right and left FORE control arms. The repair estimate is attached below.

NHTSA ODI 11423667

While backing into driveway at low speed (<5mph), I turned the wheel sharply and heard loud clunk from front end followed by large noise of dragging. Exited car to see that front drivers side suspension was broken and dragging on top of wheel rendering car undrivable. Could have resulted in serious loss of control had it occurred at higher speed. Called Tesla service who dispatched tow truck. Paid $450 to tow to nearest Tesla Service Center where they diagnosed failed lower fore link control arm. Per Tesla service bulletin SB-17-31-001 this is a known defect where the installed part did not meet Tesla specs. Vehicle has under 28K miles, but was charged >$1100 for out of warranty repair. Seems bizarre that they acknowledged a defective part since 2017 but never replaced during any service visits and now will not replace because vehicle is out of warranty. Seems to be a very common issue, so why hasn't there been a recall?

NHTSA ODI 11422922

The front left suspension fore link failed, making the car undrivable. We were leaving our driveway at low speed, and the wheel collapsed, dragging against the skirt and creating loud noises and lurching. The steering wheel could not be turned. No collision or other unusual force applied. Car at 36k miles. Tesla repaired, confirmed there was no collision. They said they replaced with an updated part indicating to us the original post is inadequate for safe driving. Since out of warranty we paid the $900+ to replace the inadequate part out of pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11417978

CAR LOST CONTROL AT LOW SPEED ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT AFTER HEARING CREAKING (UNDER 35MPH) THEREFORE MAKING ME RUN INTO CURB. THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO TIRE AS I SAW IT DAMAGED, BUT TESLA SERVICE CENTER SAID THE CONTROL ARM IS BROKEN ALSO LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THE CONTROL ARM BROKE LEADING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 11415200

FAULTY FRONT SUSPENSION. FRONT SUSPENSION FORE LINK FAILURE. VEHICLE CREATES FRONT SUSPENSION SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR SMALL MOVEMENTS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11414253

ENTERING THE INTERSECTION FROM A FOUR WAY STOP, THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHEN BRAKE APPLIED FIRMLY AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE VEHICLE MADE A FEW CREAKING SOUNDS WHEN PARKING FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE TOTAL FAILURE. AFTER FAILURE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL MOVED FORWARD AND AFT WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVED AND THE TIRE IMPACTED THE FENDER LINER AND RIPPED THE REAR HALF OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11413945