The price difference is only about 3,000? thoughts and opinions.

About one year after its market debut in China, the Model Y L – the six-seat flagship SUV produced at Tesla‘s Shanghai Gigafactory – is facing a wave of criticism from owners reporting “collapsing” of the rear wheels. The issue has gained traction on social media, with many users claiming the defect is a systemic batch failure rather than isolated incidents.

According to numerous owner testimonials quoted by Sina, the gap between the rear wheel arch and the tyre narrows drastically after long-distance travel or when the vehicle is fully loaded. In severe cases, owners report that the clearance becomes so small that “not even a single finger” can fit into the gap.

The reported failures vary by mileage. One owner from Hebei province reported a severe collapse after 9,000 km during a fully loaded trip to Tibet. Another owner in Shanghai, who has driven nearly 30,000 km since October 2025, noted that the rear wheel gap shrank to the width of only two fingers, leading to increased chassis swaying and a higher risk of scraping the underbody.

Beyond the visible sagging, owners are reporting consequential damage. The suspension drop alters the wheel alignment, causing abnormal wear on the inside of the tyres. Some owners claim their tyres have already worn down to the safety limit. While Tesla replaces the springs for free under warranty, the cost of replacing the prematurely worn tyres must be borne by the owners.

Tesla China has not issued a public statement, and customer service representatives have simply advised affected owners to book appointments at service centres for inspection.