2021 Tesla Model Y Suspension Fastener Recall (21V835)
Tesla, Inc. · 2,791 vehicles · Reported October 25, 2021
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 2,791 2021 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame. A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V835 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V835000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-21-31-003 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 25, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 2,791 |
| Component | Suspension > Critical Fasteners |
| Safety risk | A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model Y in recall 21V835?
The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Model Y with recall 21V835?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the critical fasteners.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V835?
Recall 21V835 covers 2,791 vehicles: 2021 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 2,791 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model Y suspension fastener recall?
Yes. Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge.
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.
When was recall 21V835 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 21V835 to NHTSA on October 25, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 20, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 25, 2021 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V835000. |
| December 20, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 60 months ago. If your Model Y was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model Y is part of recall 21V835?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V835 is open on your Model Y, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V835000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Model Y owners do about recall 21V835?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V835000 applies to your Model Y.
- Call a Tesla dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the critical fasteners happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Model Y owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,743 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 113 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Since recall 21V835 was reported on October 25, 2021, owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 4 of them (5%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the suspension, wheels and tires and were received on or after October 25, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related suspension, wheels and tires issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,743 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 113 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Tesla Model Y: 1,079 complaints in total, 91 about the suspension, wheels and tires
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 22 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
Alerts regarding vehicle steering, stability, emergency braking, lane control traction, received all at once and the Tesla AI advisor indicated others were reporting the same. No other vehicles in lanes around us showed up on the vehicle LCD screen as normally they do too.
2021 Tesla Model Y owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11643673, filed February 19, 2025
My steering is making loud noises and so is the suspension. It’s so loud it’s embarrassing to drive. The steering wheel also came apart because it wasn’t glued down properly and had air bubbles. I see recalls for cars but not my specific vin.
2021 Tesla Model Y owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11646740, filed March 6, 2025
Upper and lower control arms failed, and front suspensions bushings became torn. The car did not present any warning lamps or warning messages. The issue became apparent when a loud creaking/squeaking sound started coming from the front of the vehicle, and could be reproduced by turning the steering wheel, or by accelerating or braking.
2021 Tesla Model Y owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11665380, filed June 6, 2025
Can recall 21V835 make my Model Y a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this critical fasteners recall means their Model Y qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
If a suspension or wheel problem on the 2021 Tesla Model Y returns after the recall work, keep the repair orders. Repeat visits for the same defect are what California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Tesla Model Y has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Model Y been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model Y recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V835
Did the recall 21V835 fix work?
Since recall 21V835 was reported on October 25, 2021, owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 4 of them (5%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 20, 2021.
Is the 21V835000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model Y is part of recall 21V835000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V835000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.