Creaking from the front suspension when turning slowly and worn ball joints at the MOT (Model 3 and Model Y)

Engine / equipment

Front upper control arm ball joints: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

Period mentioned

2018–2025

Symptoms

Creaking from the front suspension when turning the wheel at low speed under load, for example when parking; auto motor und sport mentions squeaks and creaks after about two or three years. At the German roadworthiness test, ball joints with play are found.

Possible cause described

Tesla (bulletin SB-20-31-006, July 2021) acknowledges that water can reach the front upper control arm ball joints and corrode their surface, which causes the creak; according to Tesla it is only a noise and does not make the ball joint fail early. auto motor und sport explains that the windscreen drain ends just above and water collects there. In the 2026 TÜV report published by AUTO BILD, the Model Y suspension fails 2.9 % of first inspections (average: 0.2 %) because of worn ball joints, and the Model 3 suspension more than eight times as often as normal.

Check for the garage

If it creaks when turning, ask Tesla service to check the upper control arm ball joints: the bulletin provides for sealing the area around both ball joints with urethane so that water cannot get in. Before the MOT or periodic inspection, and when buying one second-hand, have the front ball joints checked for play.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database