Some model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator pedal and steering yoke/wheel that may occur during acceleration. This behavior does not affect the operation or safety of the vehicle. The software update adjusts certain motor controls during acceleration that may reduce the vehicle's rated range by up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Tesla Model S suspension problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Tesla Model S in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
Certain Model S Palladium vehicles have an incorrect air suspension fill valve installed, resulting in the inability to fill the air suspension reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe premature rear tire wear on the inside edge—some seeing it at 10,000 miles, others by 39,000. The 21-inch wheel option with Michelin stock tires appears especially vulnerable. Tread separates from sidewalls or wears to the cords, exposing steel. Tesla has performed multiple alignments showing "in spec" results, yet the pattern repeats. One owner needed tire replacements at 12,000, 22,000, and 39,000 miles; another saw the same failure twice.
Owners also report excessively stiff suspension that transmits road impacts directly to occupants, causing neck pain on short rides. Tesla visited three times on one vehicle and only toggled settings—a technician acknowledged the stiffness was real but said no fix exists.
Front-end clicking and whistling sounds occur repeatedly. Tesla applies grease temporarily, but the noise returns yearly. Owners suspect loose fasteners that exceed the part quality for the car's torque output.
One owner's adaptive suspension wiring harness was routed improperly and rubbed through on the inside of a rear tire, disabling the dampers. Multiple owners hit the "Adaptive ride control unavailable" warning around 20,000–31,000 miles; Tesla charges $275 just to diagnose. A control arm fore link failed at 6,000 miles on another vehicle.
Failure modes owners describe
Premature/abnormal rear tire wear from suspension geometry
Owners report severe inside-edge wear on rear tires leading to tire failure, cords exposed, and loss of air pressure. Pattern appears linked to camber misalignment and suspension geometry issues. Multiple owners cite the 21-inch wheel option with Michelin stock tires as particularly problematic. Wear occurs despite Tesla alignments showing 'in spec' readings.
When: 12,000 to 39,000 miles; some report wear in 6-10 months or 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Inside edge of rear tires wearing down to steel belts or cords; Asymmetric wear (left side severely worn, right side normal); Tire failure and sudden flat tires; Tread separation from sidewall
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement costs $3,300+ reported; multiple replacements over vehicle life; alignment and toe adjustments performed but do not resolve issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla performed multiple alignments and toe adjustments claiming 'in spec' and issue resolved, but pattern repeats. No permanent fix offered. One technician acknowledged the issue but stated no fixes currently available pending volume of complaints.
Stiff suspension ride quality with no adjustment remedy
Vehicle exhibits excessively stiff suspension response, transmitting road impacts and bumps directly to occupants. Particularly affects rear passengers. Owner reports visiting Tesla three times over several months; each visit involved settings adjustments only. Tesla technician confirmed the ride is stiff during test drive but stated no fixes are available. Manufacturer indicated relief would require NHTSA action or consumer sale of vehicle.
When: Ongoing from delivery through multiple visits in 2023
Symptoms owners cite: Very stiff suspension response to potholes, road bumps, and divider markers; Neck pain reported by passengers after short rides; Deep discomfort in rear passengers that deteriorates over time; Issue persists despite comfort mode and soft ride setting enabled
Repairs/costs cited: Settings toggles attempted three times; no resolution achieved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla stated ride quality is inherent to vehicle design and no fixes currently available without NHTSA intervention
Front suspension noise (clicking and whistling) from loose fasteners
Recurring clicking sound from front wheels over bumps, acceleration, or deceleration, along with whistling during driving. Owner and internet research indicate the issue stems from loose bolts/nuts that recur because the high torque output of the vehicle exceeds the fastener or part quality. Tesla service applies grease as temporary fix, but noise returns annually as grease deteriorates.
When: Recurring issue; grease temporary fix lasts approximately one year
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sound from front wheels over bumps or during acceleration/deceleration; Whistling sound while driving; Noise reoccurs annually despite temporary repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla service applies grease to affected area as temporary mitigation; owner states permanent fix needed to address loose fastener quality or torque capacity mismatch
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla applies grease to temporarily suppress noise but does not address root cause or provide permanent fastener upgrade
Adaptive suspension wiring harness failure from improper routing
Rear passenger side adaptive suspension wiring harness was installed or routed improperly and rubbed against the inside of the tire. After extended mileage, the harness wore through and lost electrical contact, disabling the adaptive dampers. When dampers fail, the suspension enters a fallback state and vehicle becomes floaty and unsafe to drive.
When: Extended mileage; harness degradation was gradual until electrical contact was lost
Symptoms owners cite: System warnings indicating adaptive damper failure; Suspension becomes floaty and disconnected when dampers disabled; Loss of ride control and safety; Dangerous driving feel
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla confirmed the issue via remote diagnostics; owner has photographic evidence of wiring harness damage; Tesla stated they cannot repair the vehicle for 6 weeks
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla confirmed the improper routing via remote diagnostics but offered no timeline for repair
Adaptive ride control electrical failure ('Adaptive ride control unavailable' warning)
Dashboard warning states 'Adaptive ride control unavailable. Vehicle speed limited - Proceed with caution.' Multiple owners report this issue on internet forums, particularly on 2021 Model S vehicles. Issue appears between 20,000 to 31,000 miles post-delivery. Root cause not specified by owners but appears distinct from the wiring harness routing issue. Tesla requires paid diagnostics before repair.
When: 20,000 to 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning: 'Adaptive ride control unavailable'; Vehicle speed limited as safety measure; Caution message
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla quotes $275 for diagnostics and additional $300 for repair; owner questions appropriateness of paid diagnostics for in-warranty vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla requires $275 diagnostic fee before providing repair estimate
Control arm fore link failure
Control arm fore link failed after 6,000 miles. No additional details provided on cause, symptoms, or repair.
When: 6,000 miles
Front suspension misalignment at delivery with steering pull
On delivery day, steering wheel pulled to the left and felt unstable. Owner reported the issue immediately to Tesla. Tesla dismissed it as 'normal.' Independent shop and Tesla-certified third-party shop later confirmed suspension components were bent/tweaked and required replacement. Premature tire wear on left side was traced to this misalignment.
When: Present at delivery
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulls to the left; Unstable steering feel; Premature left-side tire wear
Repairs/costs cited: Third-party Tesla-certified shop confirmed bent/tweaked suspension components requiring replacement; Tesla refused to inspect properly or perform repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla dismissed initial complaint as 'normal' and refused to perform thorough inspection or warranty repair; produced inaccurate service invoice
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The suspension is very stiff and to the point when the smallest of pot holes, road bumps, or going over the road divider marker sends the shock to the body of the passenger. My family complaints of neck pain after a short ride. I live in San Jose, CA. I drive with the comfort mode with the soft ride setting for the suspension. This deep discomfort, pronounced for rear passengers is also…
Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range VIN: [XXX] I am reporting multiple safety-related defects that existed at delivery or developed shortly thereafter, and Tesla has refused to diagnose or repair them under warranty. These defects create an unsafe driving condition and risk of loss of control or collision. Defect Summary: 1.Alignment Defect at Delivery: On the day I bought the car, the…
Had suspension trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Tesla Model S?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2021/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.