SB-21-31-003 Front Suspension Lateral Link – 2020-2021 Tesla Model Y & 2019-2021 Model 3

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October 25, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V835000

Front Suspension Lateral Link May Separate

A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V835

Manufacturer Tesla, Inc.

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 2,791

 

Summary

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.

 

Remedy

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.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check if your Tesla has a Recall

 


2021 Tesla Model Y
2021 Tesla Model Y

 


Condition

On certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the bolts that secure the front lower lateral links to the subframe may not have been torqued to internal specification.

 

Correction

Inspect and confirm that all bolts that secure the front lower lateral links to the subframe are torqued to internal specification. If symptoms relating to the condition are present, re-torque the bolts to internal specification. If necessary, replace the front subframe and/or the front lateral links.

Correction Description Correction Time (Model 3) Time (Model Y)
Inspect Vehicle; Front Lower Lateral Link Bolts Properly Torqued S012131003 0.15 0.20
Inspect Vehicle; Replace LH Front Lower Lateral Link S022131003 0.60 0.65
Inspect Vehicle; Replace RH Front Lower Lateral Link S032131003 0.60 0.65
Inspect Vehicle; Replace LH and RH Front Lower Lateral Links S042131003 0.70 0.75
Inspect Vehicle; Replace Front Subframe (RWD) S052131003 2.05 1.85
Inspect Vehicle; Replace LH Front Lower Lateral Link And Front Subframe (RWD) S062131003 2.10 1.90
Inspect Vehicle; Replace RH Front Lower Lateral Link And Front Subframe (RWD) S072131003 2.10 1.90
Inspect Vehicle; Replace LH and RH Front Lower Lateral Links And Front Subframe (RWD) S082131003 2.15 1.95
Inspect Vehicle; Replace Front Subframe (Dual Motor) S092131003 2.95 3.50
Inspect Vehicle; Replace LH Front Lower Lateral Link And Front Subframe (Dual Motor) S102131003 3.00 3.55
Inspect Vehicle; Replace RH Front Lower Lateral Link And Front Subframe (Dual Motor) S112131003 3.00 3.55
Inspect Vehicle; Replace LH and RH Front Lower Lateral Links And Front Subframe (Dual Motor) S122131003 3.05 3.60

 

Part Number Description Quantity
Parts Required
If Necessary Model 3 and Model Y
1109263-00-B NUT&WSHR[SW],M14x1.5,[10],ZNFL,PTP 2
1111145-00-A NUT,HF,M10-1.5,[10],ZNNI,PTP 4
1456640-00-A DBL,HF,M14x120+M10x16,CMAT,[109],ZNFL 2
1461654-00-A BOLT,HF,M10-1.5×94,[109],ZNFL,CMAT 2
1461643-00-A BOLT,HF,M12-1.75×99,[109],ZNFL,CMAT 2
1111543-00-A NUT,HF,M12-1.75,[10],ZNNI,PTP 2
1109912-00-A BOLT,HF,M14-2.0×65,STL[109],ZNFL 1–4
Dual Motor Vehicles
1115558-00-A NUT&WSHR[SW],M24, STL[8],ZNFL,SERR 2
Model 3 Only
1044341-00-D FR LWR LATERAL LINK ASSY 1–2
1044521-00-N FR SUBFRAME STRUCTURE 1
1111151-00-A BOLT,HF,M10-1.5×30,[109],ZNFL,SMAT 2
Model Y Only
1188341-00-C FRONT LOWER LATERAL LINK ASSEMBLY 1–2
1044531-00-B FR SUBF ASSY MDL3/Y 1
1461652-00-A BOLT,HF,M10-1.5×36,[109],ZNFL,CMAT 2
These part numbers were current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later, unless otherwise specified in the Parts Catalog.
Special Tools All Vehicles
1066521-00-A Powertrain Table
1071271-00-A Chassis Height Measurement Tool
1090880-00-A Steering Wheel Holder
1049463-00-A Steering Wheel Level
1099645-00-C Subframe Fixture
1115118-00-B Socket Internal Torx Plus 3/8in Dr. T40
1090881-00-A Brake Pedal Depressor
Dual Motor Vehicles
1059330-00-B Socket External Torx 1/4in Dr. E10 5-Lobe
1096075-00-A Hydraulic Hub Puller
1133187-00-A Socket External Torx 1/2in Dr. E18
1050448-00-B Vacuum Refill Tool
1083188-00-B Multimeter
1130480-02-A Slim Test Probes
1135762-00-A Coolant Hose Plug Kit
1498673-00-A Cable Axle Removal Kit
1081547-00-A Slide Hammer
1130279-00-A Drive Unit Sling
1140311-00-A HV Connector Lever Lock
1065131-00-A Battery Coolant Drain Kit
1479505-00-A M3/Y Vacuum Fill Adapter

Shop Supplies THREADLOCKER, LOCTITE 222, PURPLE

 

Procedure

1. Remove the front aero shield panel (refer to Service Manual procedure 12030102; Model 3, Model Y).

2. Check for missing bolts where the LH and RH front lower lateral links attach to the front subframe (Figure 1).

 

  • If all bolts are installed (4 total), skip to step 5.
  • If any bolts are missing, go to step 3.

3. Where a front lower lateral link is missing a bolt, check the lateral link(s) for damage that might cause the part to fail, such as cracks or bending at the subframe flanges (Figure 2).

 

  • If damage is observed, remove the lateral link from the vehicle and hand-tighten a new lateral link to the front knuckle and front strut (refer to Service Manual procedure 31013402; Model 3, Model Y). Skip to step 4.
  • If damage is not observed, go to step 4.

4. Where any front lower lateral link to front subframe bolts (Figure 1) are missing, hand-tighten a new bolt.

  • If able to hand-tighten the bolt(s), go to step 5.
  • If unable to hand-tighten the bolt(s), skip to step 6.

 

5. Perform a torque check on the bolts that attach the LH and RH front lower lateral links (4 bolts total) to the front subframe (115 Nm) (Figure 1).

  • If all lateral link bolts (4 bolts total) can be torqued to specification, skip to step 7.

CAUTION: If new lateral link(s) were installed on the vehicle, fully torque the lateral link to the front knuckle and front strut before going to step 7 (refer to Service Manual procedure 31013402; Model 3, Model Y).

 

  • If any bolt cannot be torqued to specification, go to step 6.

6. Replace the front subframe.

  • RWD Front Subframe (refer to Service Manual procedure 30010302; Model 3, Model Y).
  • Dual Motor Front Subframe (refer to Service Manual procedure 30010312; Model 3, Model Y).

7. Install all parts that were removed for access.

 


Subject: [PROOF] Model 3 and Model Y Front Suspension Lateral Link Inspection

Tesla has decided to proactively recall certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to inspect the bolts that secure the lateral link in the front suspension. This recall applies to certain Model 3 vehicles built between January 2019 and April 2021 and certain

Model Y vehicles built between March 2020 and June 2021. Our records indicate that your vehicle {VINXXXXXXXX}, may be affected by this recall.

On certain vehicles, the lateral link bolts may not have been secured to the correct specifications. This could cause the fasteners to loosen over time, which could cause the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame. If the fasteners become loose, you may detect abnormal noise from the front suspension. We are not aware of any crashes or injuries relating to this condition

Please schedule a service appointment using the Tesla app by selecting ‘Schedule Service’ > ‘Other’ > Something Else’ and entering the notes, “Open Recall Repair — Lateral Link inspection”.

At your appointment, Tesla Service will inspect your vehicle and perform any necessary repairs, free of charge

Thank you for your support, and we apologize for the inconvenience

 


Chronology :

– On June 2, 2021, the Production Quality and Process Engineering team escalated 39 service repairs that had accumulated over the production of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles (a rate of 0.0041%) in which one or both front suspension lateral link fasteners were found loose or missing.

– Beginning in June 2021, after reviewing production records and the assembly step operations, a root cause hypothesis was developed on loosening and decrement.

– From June 2021 to October 2021, the team reviewed torque records of other Model 3 and Y vehicles as well as service data to further assess the suspected root cause, determine whether the instances were potentially the result of another root cause, assess the potential safety impact of the condition, and identify the scope of a potentially affected vehicle population.

– On October 14, 2021, the team completed their investigation of all torque records of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, confirming the suspected root cause, risk assessment, and affected population.

– On October 18, 2021, a recall determination was made.

– As of October 15, 2021, Tesla identified 133 warranty claims and 104 field reports (received between October 14, 2018 and September 15, 2021) that have been received for U.S. vehicles and that are related to or may be related to this topic. Tesla is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to this topic.

 


5 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE MODEL YEAR
TESLA MODEL 3 2019-2021
TESLA MODEL Y 2020-2021

 


9 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V835-2749.PDF 214.719KB

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Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V835-8925.PDF 214.72KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V835-5638.pdf 646.203KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V835-6805.pdf 345.007KB

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Recall 573 Report-Amendment 2

RCLRPT-21V835-2001.PDF 215.428KB

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Lateral Link Bolt Torque – Courtesy Customer Notice

RMISC-21V835-6057.pdf 199.171KB

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V835-6128.pdf 20.058KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V835-2935.PDF 211.141KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2022-2

RCLQRT-21V835-4782.PDF 211.325KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V835&docType=RCL

 


 

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Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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