Model S Front End Issue

[gjlian]

I just had a very disappointing experience with my 2017 Model S 75D. The lower control arm on the drivers side had a complete catastrophic failure for no apparent reason. I didnt exactly know what happened at first. It sounded like something had snapped (which it did) and then a loud scraping noise followed. I originally thought it might have been the parking brake but later discovered it was in fact the lower control arm. The tow truck driver told me this was the third time he had seen this problem and said it was mainly due to the fact that the part was made of aluminum instead of steel like most cars. I truly hope that Tesla addresses this issue. I see it as a major safety concern.

 

[AMPd]

Do you mind posting photos, I’d like to see where exactly it’s failing

 

[gjlian]

Do you mind posting photos, I’d like to see where exactly it’s failing

I dont mind at all but the part has been replaced already by Tesla service. There was no charge so I'd say they accepted the fact that there was an issue and/or defective part.

 

[Raechris]

I just had a very disappointing experience with my 2017 Model S 75D. The lower control arm on the drivers side had a complete catastrophic failure for no apparent reason. I didnt exactly know what happened at first. It sounded like something had snapped (which it did) and then a loud scraping noise followed. I originally thought it might have been the parking brake but later discovered it was in fact the lower control arm. The tow truck driver told me this was the third time he had seen this problem and said it was mainly due to the fact that the part was made of aluminum instead of steel like most cars. I truly hope that Tesla addresses this issue. I see it as a major safety concern.

What month was your 17 built. Wonder if this had been modified since?

 

[gjlian]

What month was your 17 built. Wonder if this had been modified since?

Not exactly sure of that. Is there an easy way to find out ?

 

[Bill_75D]

Not exactly sure of that. Is there an easy way to find out ?

Look at the plate in the drivers door jamb. It shows month and year of build.

 

[gjlian]

Looks like it was manufactured in March of 2017..

 

[gjlian]

Does anybody know if the front end of the Model S has been modified at all since March of 2017 to address this ?

 

[tbonesteak33]

Has anyone here looked into / considered looking to the aftermarket for replacing the control arm? Came up in conversation with a fellow owner recently and thought I'd raise it here

 

[gjlian]

Tesla service replaced the control arm at no cost so that wasn't an issue for me. My only concern is that this should never have happened and is indicative of either a design flaw or manufacturing defect.

 

[coloradogirl22]

I dont mind at all but the part has been replaced already by Tesla service. There was no charge so I'd say they accepted the fact that there was an issue and/or defective part.

The same thing happened to me, but the Tesla repair shop is telling me that they see other signs of damage (wheel damaged), but I haven't hit anything. So he is telling me that it is not covered by Tesla. Any suggestions for how to get Tesla to cover this?