The Tesla Model Y Long Range has issues with the rear suspension in China. Replacing the springs doesn’t resolve the problem.
In China, the number of complaints from Tesla Model Y L owners about a sagging rear suspension is increasing. Some vehicles began to show this issue after just 9,000 kilometers, and even after spring replacements, the problem reoccurred.
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Tesla has not yet issued a public explanation. This is a significant concern for drivers, as it affects not only the visual appearance but also tire wear and the vehicle’s performance under load.
What Tesla Model Y L owners are reporting
The complaints concern the Chinese-made Tesla Model Y L, which is the extended 6-seater version produced at the Gigafactory Shanghai. This model was launched in August 2025, with a starting price in China of 339,000 yuan, equivalent to approximately $47,000–$50,000 depending on the exchange rate and conversion source.
According to users, over time the gap between the rear wheel rim and tire decreases. In more severe cases, owners report that even two fingers cannot fit into the gap, and sometimes just one. This isn’t a standard measurement method from a manual, but it clearly illustrates the scale of the problem.
One pattern tends to repeat most often: the car travels a long distance or operates under full load, after which the rear visibly sags. One owner in Hebei reported a serious issue after about 9,000 km, following a fully loaded trip. Another user noticed a significant drop in height after around 20,000 km, while yet another saw it after nearly 30,000 km.
It’s not just about the car looking “squat.” As the rear suspension sinks, there are also complaints of body rocking, noises from the shock absorbers, and wheel vibration at higher speeds.
The problem can also affect the tires
This is the most serious part of the entire issue. If the rear suspension settles, it changes the wheel geometry. The result is accelerated wear on the inner side of the tires.
Some owners claim that their tires wore out prematurely, even to a safety-threatening level. And this is where the second problem arises. Tesla is supposed to replace the springs under warranty, but according to users, the cost of replacing the worn tires often falls on the owner. This is frustrating because the tires didn’t wear out on their own, but as a result of a suspension defect.
If these reports are confirmed more widely, the issue becomes much less trivial than just online photos showing low tread depth. Wear on the inner side of tires can remain invisible to the driver for a long time before suddenly becoming apparent during maintenance or while driving.
What standard does Tesla use?
Owners report that Tesla’s service standards specify a rear wheel height of 784 +/- 20 mm. In practice, spring replacement is only considered necessary when the measurement drops below 764 mm.
This explains where some of the disputes stem from. The driver notices the car sitting low and feels a change in handling, but if the measurement remains within the specified range, the service center may consider the condition “normal.” As a result, owners on Chinese social media began using their own very simple finger test. Four fingers indicates normality, three fingers signals a warning, while 2.5 fingers or less suggests a serious problem.
It sounds informal, but it reflects a lack of trust in the official procedure. When users create their own alternative indicators for faults, it already creates a reputational issue for the manufacturer.
Spring replacement does not guarantee certainty
The worst part for Tesla is that simply replacing the components didn’t resolve the issue. Some owners claim that after swapping out the springs, the ride height decreased again. There have also been reports of the suspension dropping again just 10 days after repairs.
If these aren’t isolated cases, it appears to be more of a design, material, or spring selection issue related to the car’s weight and actual load. The Model Y L is longer than the regular Model Y, has a 2+2+2 seating arrangement, and by definition will more often be carrying passengers or luggage. It seems obvious, but it’s these “obvious” things that sometimes only become apparent after a year of use.
Tesla China has not yet issued a public statement explaining the cause or scope of the problem. For now, owners are mainly being advised to schedule service visits.
Will it end with a service action or a recall?
As of now, there are no reports of an official recall related to this issue. However, there is a broader context that does not help Tesla. Chinese regulators have been closely examining the quality, durability, and compliance of automotive production in recent weeks. Meanwhile, other manufacturers such as XPeng, GAC Aion, and Lynk & Co have also faced their own quality issues or had to take corrective actions.
Tesla already faced other regulatory issues in China, including those related to service actions concerning door handles. The fact of previous recalls alone doesn’t determine anything about the Model Y L, but it shows that authorities won’t be particularly patient if the number of complaints increases.
From a European reader’s perspective, this matter is interesting because the Model Y L is a product tailored for China and isn’t currently part of Tesla’s standard lineup in Poland. Yet such stories are worth following, as they reveal something more important than a local malfunction. Tesla can still release a car that looks good in the configurator, only to encounter the challenges of traditional automotive design: weight, load, and the durability of suspensions and tires.
On paper, it’s just a few millimeters. In practice, those few millimeters can destroy a set of tires and customers’ trust. Do you think Tesla will settle for individual warranty repairs, or will it need to launch a broader service campaign?
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