TESLA MOTORS, INC 2012-2013 MODEL S: INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS DEVELOPING GREATER FREE PLAY THAN EXPECTED. INSTALLING (4)WEDGE- LOCK WASHERS ON THE LOWER ARM BALL JOINT WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 7/14/15.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Tesla Model S suspension problems
critical 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
3crashes
1fire
6injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 8 suspension complaints filed for the 2012 Tesla Model S, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Tesla Model S we track for suspension problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (8).
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
You are investigating Tesla front suspension failures. You should also investigate Tesla rear suspension failures. Here is just one recent example.https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/38453571?rownumber=39 the suspension link has snapped like a pretzel causing the suspension to flop down like a bad case of brewer's droop. Photo is attached with this submission. Despite Tesla issuing technical…
Here is a terdsla in the junkyard https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/38424109?rownumber=4 front suspension has collolopsed. Tire has rubbed against the inside of the fender and worn a hole through it. Luckily for the owner he was not driving near a cliff at the time or he would have been branded a suicide like the other cases were. Please get these contraptions recalled immediately.…
The mcu - media control unit is slow to respond to inputs and slow to startup when entering the vehicle. The screen has locked up several times while driving which leaves the turn indicators unusable and the defroster deactivated until the mcu resets. The hazard indicators are inactive when the mcu turns off. The front suspension links wear out prematurely due to a poor design and the weight of…
Here is a Tesla in the salvage yard. Https://m.iaai.com/vehicledetenc.aspx?auctionid=21921554&itemid=23249264&rowid=16&pagesource=vehicleresults the steering knuckle has snapped in half. The air-bags have not deployed and there is no visible damage to the car that would explain why the knuckle has snapped in half. Up until 2015 the steering knuckle was made from hollow cast aluminum and…
This is the stolen car which crashed in hollywood. Photographs at the scene show 3/4 of a wheel and the tire lying on the ground. Here is the listing at the salvage auction site. Http://imgur.com/a/h7roa the crash site images how the front wheel broken loose. The salvage yard photographs show the other 1/4 of the wheel still bolted to the broken kingpin. The wheel has been sliced in two…
I am filing these complaints in the public interest. I am not a Tesla owner and I have no investment in Tesla nor do I hold any shares in the stock-market. This car is in the wrecking yard. The front suspension has failed and the wheel is pushed back against the high voltage controller. Http://www.salvagereseller.com/vehicles/details/32315405-2012-Tesla-model-s-ca-san-diego there is no…
Here is another Tesla in the junkyard. Https://m.iaai.com/vehicledetailimages.aspx?imageurl=2&itemid=23306666 the photographs show that the front steering knuckle has snapped in half and the wheel is hanging sideways out of the wheel well. The car has not been in a crash. The air-bags have not deployed and there is no significant damage to the bodywork. These steering knuckles are a made…
Had suspension trouble with your 2012 Tesla Model S?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2012 Tesla Model S?
It's a serious issue. 8 complaints have been filed, including 3 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 20,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Tesla/Model S.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.