Tesla has published two service bulletins in response to customer complaints about suspension creaking on the refreshed Model Y.
The issue on the 2026+ Model Y has been a persistent, frustrating issue for owners, with creaking, rattling, or knocking noises occurring during low-speed driving and over uneven surfaces.
To date, navigating this issue via official channels has proved challenging. Tesla Service centers frequently classified the noise as non-safety-related and “within spec,” declining to authorize repairs.
However, that has now changed with Tesla's issuance of two technical service bulletins, SB-26-31-003 and SB-25-31-005, on May 8, 2026.
The Mechanical Symptoms
The persistent front-end noise reported across Premium RWD, Premium AWD, and Performance variants of the refreshed Model Y was initially difficult for local service teams to diagnose due to its overlapping acoustic characteristics.
Because suspension noise can originate from numerous articulating components under load, early diagnostic attempts often resulted in temporary lubrication fixes rather than addressing the root cause.
The rattling or knocking condition when driving over bumps or rough roads is directly tied to the front upper control arm (FUCA) mounts and the internal valving or structural seating of the front damper assemblies.
Multi-Tier Remedy
According to SB-25-31-005, technicians must inspect affected vehicles and replace the front upper control arm mounts with updated components. For the Premium and Performance configurations, this protocol is expanded to include replacing both the left- and right-hand front damper assemblies with updated parts specifically optimized for the refreshed platform’s weight distribution and dampening coefficients.
Intriguingly, both bulletins mandate a structural change: the complete removal of the wiper bracket pencil braces. These braces were introducing unexpected harmonics or transferring suspension energy into the vehicle's firewall, amplifying what would otherwise be a minor mechanical click into noticeable cabin noise.
For vehicles in which the control arm mounts and pencil braces have already been addressed, SB-26-31-003 recommends updating the front dampers.
If the entire procedure is performed, it should take approximately 4 hours, according to the service bulletins and service manual, which include pre- and post-repair test drives to confirm the issue.
Service Bulletin
The value of these bulletins is in the immediate change when customers bring in affected vehicles. The service center is immediately aware of the issue, can verify the cause, and can fix it.
Because both documents are officially categorized as Campaign Bulletins, the associated diagnostic and replacement procedures are fully covered under Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Owners who previously faced pushback on the issue can now schedule service appointments to get the issue fixed. The bulletins lay out exactly what needs to be changed and for which vehicles, which means Service Centers can proactively order parts once an issue is remotely diagnosed, resulting in faster swaps.
