Another broken control arm thread

[NY MS]

Hi everyone,

2018 Model S with 43k miles on it

Yesterday morning as I was backing out of my driveway, my car locked up with a rubbing coming from the rear passenger side. I go around and see the wheel locked up inside the well, and after further inspection the lower controll arm snapped. I have not hit any potholes or anything ,and when I parked in the garage the night before there was no indication anything was wrong. I am VERY grateful it happened outside my house and not on the highway during my commute to work. Got it towed to the Tesla dealership and they are saying they will not cover it as the Warranty ended in March.

Upon doing further research it appears this is a very common occurence for cars that were manufactured at the same time as mine and there is even a TSB and a revised part.

They havent given me an estimate but I dont expect it to be cheap.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and succesfully had the repairs covered? I think it is complete BS that this is a known issue and the car is just barely out of the warranty

Images of the damage

 

[mswlogo]

Yeah most car companies would extend the warranty on that part if they don’t issue a recall.

 

[ThomasD]

A control arm breaking on a 4 year old car. If it wasn't abused I would say it's a design defect. There is always the NTSB route

 

[NY MS]

A control arm breaking on a 4 year old car. If it wasn't abused I would say it's a design defect. There is always the NTSB route

Definitely not abused, I avoid potholes religously. Going to try to raise a stink at the service center when I pick it up tomorrow. I will most likely file a NTSB report regardless.

 

[Richard S 85]

Definitely not abused, I avoid potholes religously. Going to try to raise a stink at the service center when I pick it up tomorrow. I will most likely file a NTSB report regardless.

Hello,
I experienced an identical break which I shared with TMC. See my thread which includes Forum: Model S Post #3,402 October 26, 2020.
Did Tesla make a goodwill adjustment for you?

 

[Richard S 85]

• Model S

Failed Rear Lower Control Arm / Service Bulletin SB-19-31-001​

• Thread starterairsailor
• Start dateAug 31, 2020
• Tags1021416-00a 1027459-99-a sb-17-31-001 sb-19-31-001

 

[dark cloud]

Hello,
I experienced an identical break which I shared with TMC. See my thread which includes Forum: Model S Post #3,402 October 26, 2020.
Did Tesla make a goodwill adjustment for you?

Let me help you out with the post: Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues

 

[NY MS]

Hello,
I experienced an identical break which I shared with TMC. See my thread which includes Forum: Model S Post #3,402 October 26, 2020.
Did Tesla make a goodwill adjustment for you?

Nope I had to pay out of pocket... Load of bs

 

[Noahweb]

I upgraded to the N2itive Camber and Toe arms for that exact reason on my ‘17 MS 100D. Best of luck with the SC and keep us posted!!

 

[airborne spoon]

I upgraded to the N2itive Camber and Toe arms for that exact reason on my ‘17 MS 100D. Best of luck with the SC and keep us posted!!

I love N2itive and highly recommend their products to everyone. However, this looks like the lower arm that broke based on the bottom of the tire sticking so far out. If I'm not mistaken nobody has a lower arm stock replacement part for sale.

Could the OP post a pic of the other side of the tire so we can see exactly where it broke? Although since the OP said he paid out of pocket I'm assuming the repair is completed and the car is back on the road so unless any pics were taken beforehand its a lost cause, did it look like the pics that Richard S 85 posted on that other thread?