Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint
Risk: 中前上控制臂球头
Affects: Model 3/Model Y
794+ real-world cases
Sourced from NHTSA complaints · Reddit · Technical Service Bulletins
This is the #1 most reported suspension fault on Tesla Model 3/Y. A failed ball joint can separate under load, causing sudden loss of steering control. Do not delay inspection.
Based on 794+ NHTSA complaints and Reddit reports, Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint failure is the #1 most reported suspension noise issue on Tesla Model 3/Y — the factory seal fails under regular road stress, allowing water ingress to destroy the grease layer and trigger metal-on-metal clunking.
Fault Cause
The ball joint's factory seal gradually fails under regular road stress, allowing water and road debris to penetrate the joint. Once moisture enters, it displaces the grease and causes accelerated wear between the metal ball and socket, eventually producing a dry metal-on-metal grinding or clunking sound.
Symptoms
Diagnosis Steps
1. With the car stationary, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and listen for a clunk or grinding from the front suspension. 2. Have a helper rock the steering wheel while you listen near the front wheel wells to localize the sound. 3. Visually inspect the ball joint boot for cracking, tearing, or grease leakage.
Confirmation Method
Raise the vehicle on a lift and grip the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Attempt to rock it inward and outward — any play or clunk in the ball joint confirms failure.
NHTSA Complaint Samples(794+ total)
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) official complaint database
Tesla MODEL 3 · 2024 · Filed 08/27/2025
The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 65 MPH, and was driving on the exit ramp, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respon
Tesla Model Y · 2024 · Filed 04/20/2026
While driving, my vehicle released a loud pop and metal noise. After pulling over large bolts fell from the front of my car caused by a suspension issue. Tesla service later confirmed that the problem
Tesla Model Y · 2024 · Filed 02/26/2026
Component/System: Braking System (Caliper Bolt) and Suspension (Control Arm/Linkage Bolt). Description of Incident: While traveling on a tollway at 70 mph, I heard a faint noise followed by a severe m
Community Reports
Tesla Model Y
Mysterious random squeaks and groans from passenger front suspension- am i in need of an alignment? Sometimes I hear these awful noise at other times it’s quiet and tight. Logged into my service sect
Tesla Model 3 · 2022
One year with a Kia EV6 I’ve now had my EV6 for a year and nearly 19,000 miles so I thought I’d put together a list of things I like and things I don’t like about my early 2022 Kia EV6 AWD Wind with
Tesla (unknown model)
3's seriously creaking front chassis while rotating wheels stationary during parking manouvers. This is like month old after the both upper control arm ball joints were replaced by the Tesla warranty
Replacement Parts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Model 3/Model Y make a 吱吱声 when 低速转向 or 原地打方向 or 雨天低温 or 过减速带?
The ball joint's factory seal gradually fails under regular road stress, allowing water and road debris to penetrate the joint. Once moisture enters, it displaces the grease and causes accelerated wear between the metal ball and socket, eventually producing a dry metal-on-metal grinding or clunking sound. Based on 794+ real-world cases in the TeslaNoiseClub database, this is one of the most commonly reported suspension noise issues on Model 3/Model Y.
How do I know if my Tesla Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint needs replacement?
Raise the vehicle on a lift and grip the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Attempt to rock it inward and outward — any play or clunk in the ball joint confirms failure.
Is it safe to drive my Tesla with 吱吱声 from the 前轮?
This is the #1 most reported suspension fault on Tesla Model 3/Y. A failed ball joint can separate under load, causing sudden loss of steering control. Do not delay inspection.
How many Tesla owners have reported this Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint issue?
TeslaNoiseClub has recorded 794+ cases of Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint failure across Model 3/Model Y, sourced from NHTSA official complaints, Reddit community reports, and technical service bulletins.
Why does my Tesla make a clunking or squeaking noise when turning at low speed?
Low-speed turning noise on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y is most commonly caused by a failing front upper control arm ball joint. The factory seal deteriorates over time, allowing moisture to displace the grease inside the joint. Once the grease is gone, the metal ball and socket grind against each other — producing a squeak or clunk that is loudest at slow, tight turns or in parking lots. TeslaNoiseClub has recorded 794+ cases matching this exact symptom pattern.
Tesla Model 3 squeaking or creaking noise in cold weather — is it the ball joint?
Cold weather accelerates the symptom because low temperatures cause the degraded grease inside the ball joint to lose what little lubricity remains, increasing metal-on-metal friction. If the noise is worse on cold starts and improves after the car warms up, a worn front upper control arm ball joint is the most likely culprit. This matches the majority of cold-weather suspension noise reports in the TeslaNoiseClub NHTSA dataset.