Tesla Model 3 airbag problems, 2017–2027
247 of the 4,336 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model 3 2017–2027 name the airbags (NHTSA’s “Air Bags” heading — airbags, their sensors and warning lights). The loudest years: 2018 (146), 2019 (86), 2024 (8). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Tesla Model 3 airbag problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the airbags | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 8 | 4% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 2 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | 10 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 86 | 14% | — | 11 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 146 | 14% | 20k | 11 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 | 7 | 27% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the airbags. Nothing here is a rate.
When the airbag complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 40 · 2024: 82 · 2025: 51 · 2026: 36
Across the model years, half of the 38 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the airbag problem between 7,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the airbags, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
We recently got into an sua with our current Tesla 3. I was turning into my drive way and I came to a complete stop. While I was waiting for the gate to open and when I braked, the car suddenly sped up very fast and I stepped on the brake again but the car did not stop.
Multiple times, the passenger airbag indicator on the dashboard showed the airbag was not activate despite the passenger seat being occupied by a 112 pound person with a buckled seat belt. There is no active notification that the airbag is deactivated in the presence of indications of occupancy of that seat.
I was coming out of the park and getting on the main road, when the Tesla accelerated without warning in huge burst of speed. I don't use AutoPilot. I had to drive the car out of the road to avoid the incoming traffic and the Tesla hit a tree and a parked car. Then it came to a stop. Then the airbags also failed to deploy.
Frontal head-on collision - I went too fast while making a left turn (at least 50mph) - vehicle drifted and I lost control and it hit a lamp post - damage was pretty severe in front left drivers side of car but airbag never deployed
I am writing to report an accident involving my son who was driving Tesla 2024 Model-3 on July 18th 2026 approximately 10:15 AM EST. He was returning home from his volunteering with Emergency medical Service(EMS) when the vehicle's steering wheel suddenly froze.
What is on file about the airbags, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V445000 HighJul 7, 2026 · 15 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."
- 24V284000 HighApr 19, 2024 · 1 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling one 2024 Model 3 vehicle. The driver seat side air bag module was assembled without a deflector that directs gas flow during deployment.
- 21V834000 HighOct 25, 2021 · 3 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Other systems with a record on the Tesla Model 3
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems
- steering problems
- cruise control problems
- electrical problems
- brake problems
- suspension problems
- seat belt problems
Every system, every model year: Tesla Model 3 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Tesla Model 3 years have the most airbag complaints?
2018, 146; 2019, 86; 2024, 8. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (27%).
Is there a recall for the airbags on the Tesla Model 3?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V445000 (2024), 24V284000 (2024), 21V834000 (2023). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do airbag problems show up on the Tesla Model 3?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 19,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Air Bags" heading cover?
Airbags, their sensors and warning lights. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.