NHTSA Complaint #11617917 — 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

SUSPENSION issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number	11617917
Vehicle	2018 TESLA MODEL 3
Component	SUSPENSION
Date of Incident	February 9, 2024
Date Filed	October 3, 2024
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	TX

Consumer Description

Car was making clunking sound, so made an appointment with service center. Before appointment, clunking sound stopped. Around the same time the clunking stopped we found a bolt in the driveway. Took into service and was told a bolt was missing from the lower lateral link which sounds quite concerning. I'm told by others had both bolts fallen out the wheel would have tipped inward or outward and damaged the fender and possibly caused an accident. I searched recall notices and I found recalls and/or bulletins with the same problem in similar but not the same VIN range as our vehicle and have read of others with similar problems not covered by recalls. There had been no previous work done on the front suspension.

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...