NHTSA Complaint #11297848 — 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

SUSPENSION issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number	11297848
Vehicle	2018 TESLA MODEL 3
Component	SUSPENSION
Date of Incident	January 1, 2020
Date Filed	January 8, 2020
Mileage	1,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	CA

Consumer Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A JUNKYARD MODEL 3 TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT SINCE I DO NOT YET HAVE THE VIN OF THE ACTUAL CAR. THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT TESLA SUSPENSION BREAKAGES. HERE IS A VIDEO WHICH SHOWS IN GREAT DETAIL WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BOLT ON THE SUSPENSION FAILS. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=BSTEBKTX0BG THE VIDEO IS FROM KOREA AND HAS ENGLISH SUBTITLES. YOU HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT TESLA BROKEN SUSPENSIONS AND IN PARTICULAR THIS BALL JOINT BOLT WHICH REPEATEDLY SNAPS. THIS VIDEO REMOVES ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE ISSUE. THESE BOLTS ARE MADE IN TWO PARTS WELDED TOGETHER AND THE PART ALWAYS SNAPS IN A BRITTLE FRACTURE IN THE ZONE CLOSE TO THE WELDED JOIN. I HAVE INFORMED THE KOREAN OWNER THAT I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ON HIS BEHALF. PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO WHICH ALSO DETAILS OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDING DANGEROUS "PHANTOM BRAKING" THANK YOU. [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

Related Complaints for the 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

Other SUSPENSION Complaints

#11716305 — February 6, 2026 — 2018 Tesla model 3 front chassis subframe welded nut to the chassis is come off now left side control arm keep gettin...

#11715637 — February 4, 2026 — My 2018 Tesla Model 3 started squeaking at 36k miles at the end of 2023 (5 year old) I took to the Tesla service cent...

#11714500 — January 30, 2026 — The front control arms are creaking and I’ve read that many of models built in 2018 have this problem as well. It is ...

#11709664 — January 8, 2026 — I purchased this car new in 2018 and recently replaced the front lateral suspension arm due to worn bushings. During ...

#11709248 — January 6, 2026 — The front suspension began having grinding noises. This was especially pronounced during turning at low speeds. At 58...

Recent Complaints for the 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

#11718114 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL — February 15, 2026 — There is no checkbox for Full Self Driving (Supervised): 3 times in the last 4 weeks, my Tesla has become impatient a...

#11716395 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — February 7, 2026 — Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts ...

#11716395 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL — February 7, 2026 — Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts ...

#11716395 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING — February 7, 2026 — Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts ...

#11716455 — STRUCTURE:BODY — February 7, 2026 — The rear doors are not equipped with manual door releases. In the event of a crash or fire the rear seat passengers w...