Tesla Model S and Model X Suspension Defects: What You Need to Know

In October 2020, the State Administration for Market Regulation in China alerted drivers who purchased the Tesla Model S or Model X between the years 2013 and 2018 of a dangerous defect in their vehicles – the connecting rod and ball studs of the vehicles’ front suspension and the upper connecting rod of the vehicles’ rear suspension.  

In a letter on behalf of Tesla to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in September 2020, the company appeared to blame Chinese drivers for the failure of their suspension systems stating, “the root cause of the issue is driver abuse…that is uniquely severe in the China market.” However, as early as 2016, Tesla quietly offered goodwill replacements of these suspension components for Model S and Model X drivers in exchange for non-disclosure agreements, but the majority of these allegedly defective vehicles were still on the road. 

Though McCune Law Group is no longer taking cases related to these possible suspension defects in certain Tesla models, we remain committed to consumer protection in every industry. This page will be kept live as a resource for affected vehicle owners.  

History of Tesla’s Response to Suspension Defects: Limited Recall  

In 2020, Tesla announced a recall of 30,000 Model S and Model X vehicles manufactured between September 17, 2013, and January 15, 2018, and sold in China to replace suspension components identified as being prone to crack and fail. These defects may lead to loss of control of the vehicle and possible collisions.  

However, Tesla did not offer to eliminate the safety hazards posed by these same suspension components in vehicles in the United States, based on the company’s contrary claim to U.S. regulators that there is no defect in the suspension components and no associated safety risk. In fact, Elon Musk himself claimed on Twitter that, “37 out of 40 faulty suspension claims made to the NHTSA were fraudulent.” 

We are no longer pursuing litigation pertaining to Tesla’s suspension defects, but you may still have legal options.  

What Can Affected Vehicle Owners Do?  

• Contact Tesla Customer Service: If you’re experiencing any issues with your Tesla vehicle, whether related to suspension or not, you should report the problem to Tesla immediately to request assistance with repairs.
• Check for Vehicle Recalls: Although Tesla has not issued recalls for U.S. Model S and Model X vehicles for issues pertaining to suspension, you may qualify for other recalls. Visit the NHTSA recall database to see if your vehicle is eligible for manufacturer repair.
• Explore Other Legal Avenues: If you’ve experienced financial hardship due to a vehicle defect, you may still qualify for legal action. Explore our Class Action Cases page for more details.  

Related Cases and Legal Areas  

If you’ve experienced automotive defects of any kind, we recommend exploring the following practice areas: 

• Vehicle Defects: Accidents or injury caused by a flaw in a vehicle’s design or manufacturing fall under the umbrella of vehicle defect cases and may result in manufacturers or retailers facing liability. 
• Class Action Lawsuits: When numerous consumers are impacted by the same issue, they may form a class action in order to bring a joint suit against a negligent company.
• Product Liability: Defective vehicle components are included under the product liability practice area, and may be litigated by experts in that aspect of the law.

Need Legal Assistance?  

If you are dealing with another vehicle defect or class action related matter, our experienced class action attorneys are here to help. Get in touch with our class action team to explore your legal options.   

For general inquiries, you can reach us at (909) 345-8110 or via our online form. 

Final Note  

This page is no longer accepting new cases related to possible suspension defects in certain Tesla models. It remains live as an informational resource to serve affected owners. 

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McCune Law Group, APC is responsible for this advertisement. The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. The information you obtain is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Use of this website or submission of the online form does not create an attorney-client relationship.   

Counsel Richard McCune is licensed to practice only in the state of California.  The law firm of McCune Law Group has attorneys licensed to practice law in AZ, CA, IL, MO, NJ, NY, and PA.  This information section is not intended to be a solicitation for services in states where it is forbidden for non-barred attorneys from advertising for services, and McCune Law Group does not have attorneys barred in that state. McCune Law Group is a national firm that brings lawsuits in a majority of the states. In states where one of its attorneys are not barred, it does so by filing the complaint along with local counsel barred in that state.  

The results discussed do not guarantee, warrant, or predict the results in future cases 

Joining our lawsuit can help you obtain the resources you need to recover. Contact our attorneys today at (909) 345-8110, or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.