Why does my Tesla Model Y squeak from the front suspension?

Short answer: A squeak or click from the front of a Model Y over bumps is very often the upper control-arm bushings. Tesla has replaced these under warranty for many owners. Get both sides inspected.

Symptom: A squeak, creak, or click from the front over bumps, speed bumps, or while turning at low speed.

What to check first

1. Record a short video of the noise over a speed bump or while turning in a parking lot.
2. Ask Tesla service (or an independent EV shop) to inspect both front upper control arms, not just the noisy side.
3. If you are in the factory warranty, ask them to document it as a warranty repair.
4. Have them check sway-bar links and lower arms at the same time.

Likely causes

1. Worn front upper control-arm bushings or ball joints. A very common Model Y (and Model 3) complaint is a squeak or creak from the front end over bumps, speed bumps, or when turning. The rubber bushings in the upper control arms dry out or crack, and Tesla often replaces both front arms.
2. Other front suspension parts. Sway-bar links, lower arms, or a strut mount can make similar noises. A good shop or Tesla service should inspect the whole corner, not just replace one part blindly.
3. Dry bushings that get worse in certain weather. Owners notice the noise more in cold or damp weather, then it fades on some days, which fits rubber bushings rather than a broken metal part.

What it usually costs

Under the factory warranty, Tesla has replaced the arms for owners at no charge. Out of warranty it is a shop job; these threads did not give a single price we can quote.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A squeak alone is usually not an emergency. If the noise turns into a clunk, the steering feels loose, or the car pulls, have it looked at before a long trip.

DIY or shop?

Not a typical driveway job. The arms are a shop or Tesla service repair.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Tesla Model Y: 20V709000 (2020-2020 model years, suspension:front:control arm); 21V835000 (2020-2021 model years, suspension:critical fasteners); 21V912000 (2020-2022 model years, suspension); 22V895000 (2023-2023 model years, suspension:subframe/mounting bracket). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 35 keyword-matched complaints for Tesla Model Y 2020–2025 (of 395 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-08; keywords: control arm, squeak, creak, suspension, bushing, knock) (NHTSA returned no data for 4 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Why Tesla upper control arms fail and begin to squeak every 25k miles or so. A story best told in two parts. on Reddit r/TeslaModelY, a Model Y owner explained how the upper control arms start to squeak around 25,000 miles as the bushings wear, a pattern many owners recognize.
• In Squeak from front tire. Anyone experienced the same issue and whether covered by Tesla service? on Reddit r/ModelY, an owner had a squeak from a front tire and asked whether Tesla service would cover the repair under warranty.
• In Model Y Upper Control Arms on Reddit r/teslamotors, owners discussed Model Y upper control arms and Tesla replacing them when they start to noise.
• In Front wheels click when turning on Reddit r/TeslaModelY, an owner heard the front wheels click when turning, another way the same worn front-end parts can show up.

Quick tip

On a used Model Y, listen over speed bumps in a parking lot. A squeak there often means control-arm work is due.

Vehicle focus: Tesla Model Y (2020–2025), including later Highland refresh models that can have the same bushing wear. Model 3 uses similar front arms.

Safety / mechanic note

Worn suspension parts can change how the car steers. Verify with a mechanic.