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Reversing out of a parking space we heard a very loud sound followed by a grinding/scraping noise from the front right. At first we thought we'd run over something, but there was nothing under or anywhere near the car. Moving the car forwards, the car felt like it first jacked up a bit on the front right, then moved smoothly, but still with the scraping noise. Since we were very close to home we drove home at very low speed with varying degrees of scraping and other noises whenever we went over bumps.

Tesla towed the car to Watertown and are replacing a control arm as I write this the next day.

There have been several reports of this kind of failure happening, so I wonder if they've got a systematic problem.

My 2015 Model S P90D just did the same thing. The A revision control arms are defective. They are on revision C now. If you have one replaced, they make you replace the other side to at YOUR expense because they know they are defective parts! They still refuse to recall them! It's a $1,200.00 repair with $650 for the parts. I bought all the control arms on eBay for $182 and had my Mercedes Mechanic friend install them for $195. Resized_20201024_054959.jpeg
 
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Just happened to my 2016 model x. Took car in this past April for alignment, car was under warranty, but they did not mention nor fix. At that time 46,400 miles. This happend this past Sunday, 50,800 miles. Tesla would not cover, and had to pay for another alignment.
 

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Just read this whole thread and it is very concerning. I have a CPO June 2016 90D Model S with air suspension purchased in Aug. 2020 currently with ~67k mi. Everything about the car is (nearly) perfect except it has a tendency to follow grooves in pavement, wheels deflect and follow bumps, it wants to dive into potholes from the edge rather than ride over them. I also get strange clunks and odd behavior when backing out of my garage and not-flat driveway (susp. on High) and turning, like others describe here. Basically, the front end doesn't feel like it's locked together. Fortunately this only (for now) seems to be at low speed on rough roads and weird hard turn situations. It feels like there's heavy wear in a bushing or two, but I also wonder if the control arm eye is deforming-- I'll check this weekend. The groove-following reminds me of a Porsche 944 I had about 20 yrs ago-- they had a known front A-arm ball joint wear issue and everybody in the community replaced their ball joints with brass ball/cups with zerk fittings to eliminate the plastic wear part. But I digress.

It looks and sounds like an engineer didn't calculate the geometry right, which stresses the front lower control arm, fatiguing the aluminum until it breaks. Yeah an updated stronger part helps overcome the stresses, but doesn't fix the geometry issues (unless the newer parts have different dimensions too).

Anyhow, the issue is I'm in far northern California and the closest SC is 250 mi away in San Rafael. (Though I've already driven the car to San Fran and back once....) I do not want to wait for one or both of these to fail. Fortunately I have the 2 yr CPO warranty. The question is-- and I'm very new to Tesla-- how could I get them to replace both arms under warranty? Esp. when I don't want to drive to San Rafael. Could the mobile service do this? But would they even agree to? Thoughts?
 
BTW forgot to say (and don't see how to edit posts?) that I posted about this behavior on the Tesla.com Model S forum and the only response I got was actually from TeslaTap, who said it reminded him of what some tires would do on other cars...
 
The question is-- and I'm very new to Tesla-- how could I get them to replace both arms under warranty?
I don't think you will. Without a recall or even a Technical Service Bulletin on this issue, I would be very surprised if Tesla preemptively replaced these under warranty. But this would be the case for any auto manufacturer.
The issue here should be how common is this issue?, Can it be correlated to a specific part and version?, and if this is a known, common issue, why isn't there a TSB out for replacement?
I'm getting ready to put on my snow tires so I plan to take a close look at my suspension under bright light.
 
bb95570 - I've got to hand it to you. You're one low-key kind of guy. If I bought my used Model S 3 months ago and was experiencing what you are - I wouldn't be thinking "nearly perfect," but I digress.

Set up a service appointment through the app - and (I'm trying to recall) fill any 'text' fields with additional detailed description of the issues you're living with. You absolutely need to initiate the service request and documentation process.

We'll try and be positive, and hope you get a positive resolution from what is going on. But if you're going down a troublesome path, you'll want a thorough and detailed record of things during the arbitration process. I'm living through it...
 
bb95570 - I've got to hand it to you. You're one low-key kind of guy. If I bought my used Model S 3 months ago and was experiencing what you are - I wouldn't be thinking "nearly perfect," but I digress.

Hahaha yeah I hear you, but honestly, aside from this issue, this is by far the greatest car I've ever been in, let alone driven, let alone owned. I am so glad I took all the risks and sacrifices to make this happen, and even this issue doesn't scare me. I could fix this myself on a Saturday, if I could get the updated control arms... been there done that on the Porsche. But Tesla needs to make right (if it is in fact the problem...)

I will try to schedule an appointment for "car follows pavement grooves, clunks when backing and turning etc..." and see what happens. Thanks.
 
Just saw an article about Ford recalling 375K Explorers for possible toe-link cracks over time, especially in harsh winter climates, ie salted roads. Sudden suspension breaks never a good thing.
Let’s see if this helps our situation...
 
Just saw an article about Ford recalling 375K Explorers for possible toe-link cracks over time, especially in harsh winter climates, ie salted roads. Sudden suspension breaks never a good thing.
Let’s see if this helps our situation...

I'm not sure it will make any difference. There have been 13 crashes and 6 injuries as a result of the failed Ford toe-links. I'm not aware of any crashes, or injuries, related to the Tesla suspension issues.

And Ford isn't replacing all of the toe-links, only the ones that inspection reveals that it is necessary.
 
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Hahaha yeah I hear you, but honestly, aside from this issue, this is by far the greatest car I've ever been in, let alone driven, let alone owned. I am so glad I took all the risks and sacrifices to make this happen, and even this issue doesn't scare me. I could fix this myself on a Saturday, if I could get the updated control arms... been there done that on the Porsche. But Tesla needs to make right (if it is in fact the problem...)

I will try to schedule an appointment for "car follows pavement grooves, clunks when backing and turning etc..." and see what happens. Thanks.
Then you should be OK. I don't have the fix it on Saturday skills. Enjoy the driving - especially in your nice and deserted roads corner of CA.
 
My arms broke reversing out of the parking lot have all these pieces that broke off out of it as well.
2016 Model S 53K miles

this is not normal by any means of all the cars I’ve owned this doesn’t happen regularly. I’ve driven less than 5k miles this year so and haven’t hit anything. Don’t track the car or whip around turns quickly.
 

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My arms broke reversing out of the parking lot have all these pieces that broke off out of it as well.
2016 Model S 53K miles

this is not normal by any means of all the cars I’ve owned this doesn’t happen regularly. I’ve driven less than 5k miles this year so and haven’t hit anything. Don’t track the car or whip around turns quickly.
Did you file? File a Vehicle Safety Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA
 
Model S85
61,000ks (38,000mi)
Year 2014
All prices in AUD (Australian Dollar)

Car was purchased from Tesla inventory and I have Extended Warranty.
  • Pre-Owned Limited Warranty
  • Begins Oct 29, 2018
  • Begins at 27133 km
  • Expires Oct 29, 2022
  • Expires at 107133 km
Tesla SC in Richmond VIC said this is "wear and tear" and will not repair under warranty.

Any thoughts on how to proceed with this?

Thanks all
J


upload_2020-11-10_13-3-7.png
 
Reversing out of a parking space we heard a very loud sound followed by a grinding/scraping noise from the front right. At first we thought we'd run over something, but there was nothing under or anywhere near the car. Moving the car forwards, the car felt like it first jacked up a bit on the front right, then moved smoothly, but still with the scraping noise. Since we were very close to home we drove home at very low speed with varying degrees of scraping and other noises whenever we went over bumps.

Tesla towed the car to Watertown and are replacing a control arm as I write this the next day.

There have been several reports of this kind of failure happening, so I wonder if they've got a systematic problem.
Wow!! Your description is basically the exact description I just experienced Friday night in my 2017 (March) Tesla Model S (except that mine was the left front).
I was backing out of a parking space at the local supermarket, heard the same type of noise and thought exactly the same thing, checked under the car, just like you. But, I also noticed that the bottom part of the body right behind the wheel well was sticking out about an inch...I wondered if someone hit the car while I was in the supermarket... However, that seemed very unlikely because this was so low on the car, and also there was no evidence of an inward impact anywhere on the car or wheels.

I drove a little further and light braking caused the "jacking up" you mention, but I wasn't sure what was going on. I looked in the wheel well and saw the wheel well liner (fabric/soft plastic) had been dislodged and was crumpling up. I figured maybe it was just that the liner had come loose and was peeling off (a more minor thing).

Since it was Friday at 7pm and dark, like you I figured I'd try to mellowly drive home (and check the Sentry footage to see if anything happened).

The one exception was a sudden red light caused me to have to brake, which caused the noise and smoke to increase (and I felt, but didn't quite fully perceive the jacking up). So, I drove the rest of the way using only regenerative braking until my driveway, which I entered at ~2-3mph so no real braking.

I asked the supermarket if they had surveillance video, just to rule out a collision of some sort while parked, but unfortunately, my car, parked right in front of the store, was in a "blind spot".

Unfortunately, my last Sentry data was from September 30 (I think I took the USB drive out to view on my MacBook, but must have replaced the drive insecurely, so it didn't capture footage). I hoped maybe there would be some data in the "cloud".

I contacted Tesla who said I'd have to sit until Monday when the service centers were open again.

On Monday morning, after some back and forth between service center and body shop (at times they recommended each alternatively as the discussion progressed and I was transferred to specialists in each area), the conclusion was that I should get the car towed to a service center.
I also submitted a "Privacy Data Request" (Obtain a Copy of the Data Associated With Your Tesla Account) for Nov 6-7 as instructed to see if there was any Sentry data in the cloud. It says it can take up to 30 days, but I got mine in less than 24 hours. Unfortunately there was no data at all relating to the vehicle data itself, just my Tesla account and warranty information.

So, I needed to arrange a tow. I was thinking that Tesla Roadside assistance would cover it, but the rep said that since it *possibly* could be caused by a collision, I would have to pay $210 now and then ask for a refund later if it didn't turn out to be a collision. I told the guy I seriously doubted it was a collision, but didn't want to take the risk of a fight over $210, and since I have AAA, I used one of my free tows.

Here's where it got tricky...I live on a hill with quite a bit of grade, so when the tow truck arrived, I tried to gingerly back the car to the street so I could get it to the flatbed ramp driving down parallel to the street. After backing into the street and trying to go forward, the "jacking up" of the front right wheel started (because I had to brake to prevent running down the hill). It was bad enough to see a freaked out expression on the tow truck driver's face. Now I was in a fix--in the street at a perpendicular angle. The only solution was for the tow truck to drive into the across the street neighbor's driveway and back up to me, blocking this busy street up and down the hill. People were pissed!! But it was the only way, so we had to take it.

Tesla just confirmed this morning that it was the control arm, and I have asked for photos (I don't know if I'll get them, as it certainly presents them in a less than favorable light out here on the boards).

I posted a couple of photos of what it looked like from the exterior, before knowing it was the control arm (and being able to look under the car).

And based on this thread, I will ask if they are planning to replace the right side control arm as well (not sure about rear ones)!

Cheers,
Dr Azin
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My arms broke reversing out of the parking lot have all these pieces that broke off out of it as well.
2016 Model S 53K miles

this is not normal by any means of all the cars I’ve owned this doesn’t happen regularly. I’ve driven less than 5k miles this year so and haven’t hit anything. Don’t track the car or whip around turns quickly.
According to many around here - it is quite normal for cars to shed critical suspension bits while going into reverse.
 
Wow!! Your description is basically the exact description I just experienced Friday night in my 2017 (March) Tesla Model S (except that mine was the left front).
I was backing out of a parking space at the local supermarket, heard the same type of noise and thought exactly the same thing, checked under the car, just like you. But, I also noticed that the bottom part of the body right behind the wheel well was sticking out about an inch...I wondered if someone hit the car while I was in the supermarket... However, that seemed very unlikely because this was so low on the car, and also there was no evidence of an inward impact anywhere on the car or wheels.

I drove a little further and light braking caused the "jacking up" you mention, but I wasn't sure what was going on. I looked in the wheel well and saw the wheel well liner (fabric/soft plastic) had been dislodged and was crumpling up. I figured maybe it was just that the liner had come loose and was peeling off (a more minor thing).

Since it was Friday at 7pm and dark, like you I figured I'd try to mellowly drive home (and check the Sentry footage to see if anything happened).

The one exception was a sudden red light caused me to have to brake, which caused the noise and smoke to increase (and I felt, but didn't quite fully perceive the jacking up). So, I drove the rest of the way using only regenerative braking until my driveway, which I entered at ~2-3mph so no real braking.

I asked the supermarket if they had surveillance video, just to rule out a collision of some sort while parked, but unfortunately, my car, parked right in front of the store, was in a "blind spot".

Unfortunately, my last Sentry data was from September 30 (I think I took the USB drive out to view on my MacBook, but must have replaced the drive insecurely, so it didn't capture footage). I hoped maybe there would be some data in the "cloud".

I contacted Tesla who said I'd have to sit until Monday when the service centers were open again.

On Monday morning, after some back and forth between service center and body shop (at times they recommended each alternatively as the discussion progressed and I was transferred to specialists in each area), the conclusion was that I should get the car towed to a service center.
I also submitted a "Privacy Data Request" (Obtain a Copy of the Data Associated With Your Tesla Account) for Nov 6-7 as instructed to see if there was any Sentry data in the cloud. It says it can take up to 30 days, but I got mine in less than 24 hours. Unfortunately there was no data at all relating to the vehicle data itself, just my Tesla account and warranty information.

So, I needed to arrange a tow. I was thinking that Tesla Roadside assistance would cover it, but the rep said that since it *possibly* could be caused by a collision, I would have to pay $210 now and then ask for a refund later if it didn't turn out to be a collision. I told the guy I seriously doubted it was a collision, but didn't want to take the risk of a fight over $210, and since I have AAA, I used one of my free tows.

Here's where it got tricky...I live on a hill with quite a bit of grade, so when the tow truck arrived, I tried to gingerly back the car to the street so I could get it to the flatbed ramp driving down parallel to the street. After backing into the street and trying to go forward, the "jacking up" of the front right wheel started (because I had to brake to prevent running down the hill). It was bad enough to see a freaked out expression on the tow truck driver's face. Now I was in a fix--in the street at a perpendicular angle. The only solution was for the tow truck to drive into the across the street neighbor's driveway and back up to me, blocking this busy street up and down the hill. People were pissed!! But it was the only way, so we had to take it.

Tesla just confirmed this morning that it was the control arm, and I have asked for photos (I don't know if I'll get them, as it certainly presents them in a less than favorable light out here on the boards).

I posted a couple of photos of what it looked like from the exterior, before knowing it was the control arm (and being able to look under the car).

And based on this thread, I will ask if they are planning to replace the right side control arm as well (not sure about rear ones)!

Cheers,
Dr AzinView attachment 607167 View attachment 607166 View attachment 607168
Dear Dr A :

Not only will Tesla assess and declare this situation as "wear and tear" or "driver initiated / driver fault," they will also look at you cross-eyed as you suggest they should proactively replace the intact control arms
 
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Model S85
61,000ks (38,000mi)
Year 2014
All prices in AUD (Australian Dollar)

Car was purchased from Tesla inventory and I have Extended Warranty.
  • Pre-Owned Limited Warranty
  • Begins Oct 29, 2018
  • Begins at 27133 km
  • Expires Oct 29, 2022
  • Expires at 107133 km
Tesla SC in Richmond VIC said this is "wear and tear" and will not repair under warranty.

Any thoughts on how to proceed with this?

Thanks all
J


View attachment 607038
I would proceed with prayer. All the best should you win this battle.