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severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners describe airbag failures across a range of collision scenarios. A driver struck a tree and fence at low speed (impact logged as "Near-Deploy" at ~27 mph) with no airbag deployment; another hit a garage structure hard enough to knock down a wall and damage the main electrical panel, again with no airbags. A driver struck by emergency braking on a rain-soaked road crashed into an embankment—only other airbags deployed, the driver's did not, leaving him with a fractured rib. A third owner struck another vehicle at 50 mph with no deployment. A fourth was rear-ended and pushed into traffic; the car was totaled and airbags never fired. In one incident, the vehicle falsely displayed "airbags deployed" while none actually inflated; the driver suffered concussion and whiplash.
One owner reports the occupant classification system malfunctions, triggering the passenger airbag when a toddler sits in that seat. Another faces recurring fault code RCM2_a636_ocsFaulted on the front passenger SRS; Tesla service has tested the system, updated calibration, and pushed software patches multiple times—the fault reappears immediately each time. Tesla quoted $351 for restraint system service on another vehicle. No recalls or technical service bulletins addressing these failures appear in the narratives.
Same Tesla Model 3 airbags reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2022
In multiple collision scenarios involving impact speeds ranging from ~27 mph to high-speed crashes, airbags failed to deploy or deployed inconsistently despite crash severity and owner reports that deployment should have occurred. Emergency personnel and insurance adjusters noted that impact forces were sufficient to warrant full airbag activation.
When: During or immediately after collision impact; mileage varies (8,728 miles reported in one case; others not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Driver and/or passenger airbags do not inflate during frontal or multi-vehicle collisions; Vehicle may falsely display 'airbags deployed' message when they did not actually inflate; Partial deployment (some airbags deploy while others do not in the same incident); No warning lights or fault messages prior to crash
Codes mentioned: RCM2_a636_ocsFaulted (Restraint Control Module fault—reported in pre-crash scenario)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited Tesla attempting software updates and calibration to address SRS faults without resolution; another faced quoted $351+ service charge for safety restraint system fault; most collision vehicles not diagnosed or repaired post-incident
Front passenger airbag activates incorrectly when a toddler or small occupant is seated, suggesting the OCS fails to properly classify seat occupancy or weight, triggering airbags inappropriately.
When: Recurring during normal driving with child passenger; owner has visited Tesla service twice in three months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys or is armed when a toddler sits in passenger seat; Recurring fault after multiple service visits
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple service visits attempted; issue remains unresolved
OCS fault code RCM2_a636_ocsFaulted appears repeatedly; Tesla service has tested SRS, performed software calibration, and issued updates, but the fault reappears immediately after software patches.
When: Recurring; code reappears immediately after each software update attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Front passenger SRS service alert code RCM2_a636_ocsFaulted displayed; Fault persists across multiple service visits and software updates
Codes mentioned: RCM2_a636_ocsFaulted
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla service center tested SRS system, updated software calibration, applied additional software update; fault code reappears after each attempt
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service advises to 'monitor the problem if it happens again'; no long-term resolution offered
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
I was rear ended and pushed into the car in front of me. My car was totaled and no airbags went off.
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Based on the 13 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 10,447 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.