2021 Tesla Model Y Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 6,358 miles. The words owners use most often: “front suspension” (27% of reports).
- 78suspension complaints
- 6,358median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 16%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Front suspension: mentioned in 21 of 78 complaints (27%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 20 of 78 complaints (26%)
- Lateral link: mentioned in 17 of 78 complaints (22%)
- Compliance links: mentioned in 8 of 78 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the 2021 Tesla Model Y at $1,850, and half of them between $1,650 and $2,050.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2024–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 16 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 78 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
Tesla Model Y suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model Y | 30 | 7% | 10 |
| 2025 Model Y | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 Model Y | 10 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Model Y | 131 | 11% | 42,500 |
| 2022 Model Y | 38 | 4% | 50,000 |
| 2021 Model Y | 78 | 7% | 6,358 |
| 2020 Model Y | 31 | 11% | 1,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Suspension
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.
Risk: Suspension links that separate can reduce vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the knuckles as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-004.
Suspension:front; suspension:critical fasteners
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y. During a [XXX] safety inspection in XXX, the vehicle was found to have deteriorated front suspension components. Tesla documented torn bushings in the front lower suspension links, including the lateral links and compliance links, and the vehicle failed the [XXX] safety…
On XXX my 2021 Tesla Model Y, VIN [XXX], was taken to Tesla Service in West Covina, California, at 69,097 miles. While turning, a front suspension bolt fell out and the car knocked. Tesla estimate 3000-009-[redacted], service SV02F26AB8, dated XXX, quotes replacement of both front lower lateral…
The vehicle suffered severe, premature suspension control arm degradation resulting in loud creaking/squeaking, forcing an emergency out-of-pocket replacement costing over $1,000. This is a known systemic defect noted in Tesla TSB SB-20-31-006. This first occurred in February and then again in July…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 Tesla Model Ys have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 78 owner complaints about suspension for the 2021 Tesla Model Y (7% of the 1,089 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Tesla Model Y suspension?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 6,358 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,850 (half paid between $1,650 and $2,050), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
The most frequent phrase is “front suspension”, in 21 of 78 complaints, followed by “control arm” (20).
Other 2021 Tesla Model Y problems
See all 2021 Tesla Model Y problems or suspension problems across all Model Y years.