At the shop, Tesla airbag issues have a recognizable signature. 275 documented complaints across 14 year-model entries from 2013 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. The 2018 Tesla Model 3 is the standout — roughly 40% of the airbag complaint volume on Tesla's record traces to that year-model. 5 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Tesla vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Average shop fix runs about $1,100 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before you buy. Takata-era inflators are still being recalled. The dealer fixes them free.
ProblemsByVin TESLA / AIRBAGS
14 model-year entries · 2013–2025
Tesla airbags problems
275 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Tesla vehicles for airbags issues. 5 active recall campaigns. See airbags across all makes →
Complaints
275
Recalls
5
Year-models
14
Avg fix
$1,100
60crashes
48injuries
5fatalities
Worst-affected Tesla model-years for airbags Top 14 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
2018 Tesla Model 3
111 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2019 Tesla Model 3
58 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2020 Tesla Model 3
27 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2020 Tesla Model Y
16 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2023 Tesla Model 3
13 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2022 Tesla Model 3
10 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2021 Tesla Model 3
8 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2022 Tesla Model X
6 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 moderate
2014 Tesla Model S
6 complaints · ~$1,100 critical
2024 Tesla Model 3
5 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2017 Tesla Model 3
5 complaints · ~$1,100 moderate
2021 Tesla Model S
4 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 moderate
2025 Tesla Model Y
3 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2013 Tesla Model S
3 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 critical
Active recalls — Tesla airbags 12 on file
Tesla Motors, Inc
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Tesla, Inc
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-20-001.
Tesla, Inc
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-20-001.
Tesla, Inc
A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-006.
Tesla, Inc
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
Tesla, Inc
An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.
Tesla, Inc
A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla Service will replace the front bumper carrier structure, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-10-006.
Tesla, Inc
Without a deflector, the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla service replaced the side air bag, free of charge. The affected vehicle was repaired April 12, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-13-001.
Tesla, Inc
An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Tesla, Inc
A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the RCM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-015.
Tesla, Inc
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.
Tesla, Inc
Improper side curtain air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service Centers will replace the left and right front-row side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-003.
Common questions
How many Tesla airbags complaints are on file with NHTSA?
275 complaints across 14 model-year entries from 2013 to 2025. 5 active recall campaigns cover airbags issues across the Tesla lineup.
Which Tesla model has the most airbags complaints?
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 leads with 111 complaints in this category. Next: 2019 Model 3 (58) and 2020 Model 3 (27).
What does it cost to fix Tesla airbags problems?
Independent shops average $1,100 for airbags repairs across the Tesla lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Tesla airbags recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover airbags on Tesla vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Tesla.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.