Tesla Model Y Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Tesla Model Y across 7 model years. The 2023 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “front passenger” (27% of reports).
- 121air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 67mention a crash
- 32mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Front passenger: mentioned in 33 of 121 complaints (27%)
- Safety restraint: mentioned in 31 of 121 complaints (26%)
- Service center: mentioned in 11 of 121 complaints (9%)
- Total loss: mentioned in 9 of 121 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 28 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 121 complaints, 67 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 32 an injury.
Tesla Model Y air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model Y | 9 | 2% | 5,000 |
| 2025 Model Y | 4 | 4% | 4,444 |
| 2024 Model Y | 9 | 3% | 7,608 |
| 2023 Model Y | 40 | 3% | 28,000 |
| 2022 Model Y | 19 | 2% | 4,329 |
| 2021 Model Y | 23 | 2% | 24,300 |
| 2020 Model Y | 17 | 6% | 30,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Air bags:knee bolster; structure:body:bumpers
Model years: 2026
Problem: 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."
Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or [email protected]. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am writing to raise a serious safety concern regarding my Tesla Model Y Premium AWD 7-seater which was involved in a significant rear-end collision The vehicle sustained substantial impact and has been determined to be a total loss. Given the severity of the collision, I am concerned that none of…
My Tesla 2026 Y was in an accident and was totalled. I sustained a broken tibia and a broken sternum. The airbags did not deploy. There was no warning the airbags were faulty. The car was hauled away from the collision center.
On September 23, 2026, the vehicle was being driven at low speed when the driver experienced sudden and unexpected acceleration. The vehicle rapidly accelerated and a collision occurred. The driver reports that she did not intentionally accelerate the vehicle to this degree. Vehicle data and the…
Recurring 'Front passenger safety restraint system fault' warning on 2023 Tesla Model Y. The fault has appeared 5 times: July 2024, November 2024, December 2024, August 2025, and September 2026. The vehicle was serviced by Tesla after each of the earlier occurrences, but the fault keeps returning…
The Autopilot/Active Safety sensor system and automated emergency braking (AEB) component failed. The vehicle experienced an uncommanded, severe "phantom braking" event and simultaneous steering lock. The vehicle is currently [State if it is at a tow yard, repair shop, or totaled, e.g., at an…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Tesla Model Ys have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 121 owner complaints about air bags for the Tesla Model Y. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Tesla Model Y air bags?
Yes: 1 safety recall list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Tesla Model Y?
The most frequent phrase is “front passenger”, in 33 of 121 complaints, followed by “safety restraint” (31).
Other Tesla Model Y problems
See all Tesla Model Y problems.