2020 Tesla Model 3 airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V834000Oct 25, 20213 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

  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."

  Risk: A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 3, 2026119,730 miNJCrash2 injuredTowedAirbagsBrakes

   The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH in traffic on a sunny day, the vehicle drove over a pothole, and the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal was checked; however, fifteen minutes later the vehicle crashed into a 26-foot box truck. The contact stated that the box truck left the scene of the crash. The tire skid marks were 100 feet long. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated there was…

   NHTSA complaint #11761825 · source
2. Filed Dec 16, 2025CACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   Air bags did not deploy during crash. It is available for inspection upon request My face smashed into the steering wheel resulting in black eyes, swollen nose, cuts on my face and a concussion. Yes, the airbags clearly did not deploy during crash No No

   NHTSA complaint #11705237 · source
3. Filed Sep 11, 2025SDAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   I have been getting an alert: Front passenger safety restraint system issue/Service is required. It has come on when there is no one in the seat and goes away shortly after I start to drive. I contacted Tesla and they sent an estimate to repair it which includes a bunch of different bolts, Passenger Airbag, Airbag Harmiss Retaining Clip. Also replacing Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat while Servicing Supcomponents. List of parts for that is First…

   NHTSA complaint #11686748 · source
4. Filed Aug 19, 2025WAAirbags

   Summary Complaint – 2020 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ) I am reporting a defect with the passenger side airbag system in my 2020 Tesla Model 3. Tesla Service identified the passenger airbag sensor as defective and quoted a $1,600 repair cost. This raises concern that the problem is not isolated, but may represent a broader safety defect affecting other Model 3 vehicles of the same year. Why this is a safety issue: - Airbags are federally required safety systems. A defective…

   NHTSA complaint #11681732 · source
5. Filed Jul 29, 2025NEAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   I received a proactive service alert from Tesla car stating: Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Issue. Tesla wants to charge me to fix this and said there may be issues with the restraint system, such as seats belts or airbags if I don’t pay out of pocket to fix it. This seems ridiculous I have to pay to fix this safety concern.. please issue a recall for this… seems a lot of people are getting this after researching on google and Reddit. Thanks

   NHTSA complaint #11677060 · source
6. Filed Jun 18, 2025NCCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   Airbags did not deploy when vehicle hit 75 ft highway guardrail driving over 70 mph. The car was totaled, the driver's head hit the steering wheel, requiring stitches. EMS and police at the scene were surprised to find airbags not deployed. Vehicle has been inspected by insurance. Manufacturer has not yet been informed, to my knowledge. There were no warning lights or messages indicating a problem with airbags or anything else for that matter. Driver was wearing seatbelt.

   NHTSA complaint #11667750 · source
7. Filed Apr 13, 2025MOAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   My 2020 Tesla Model 3 has displayed a "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault - Service is required" error since June 2023. This error has persisted for well over a year despite troubleshooting attempts, such as restarting the vehicle and checking for obstructions. Tesla service quoted over $400 to repair this issue, but I believe this is a basic safety-related defect that should be covered by the manufacturer, as it likely disables the front passenger airbag, posing…

   NHTSA complaint #11654367 · source
8. Filed Apr 11, 2025MAAirbags

   I have to pay over $1444 to Tesla to change the airbag because it is not working properly. Tesla will: Update front passenger Airbag to Maintain compatibility with front passenger seat. Replace Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front passenger Seat. Install OCS filter module.

   NHTSA complaint #11654060 · source
9. Filed Jan 20, 2025ORAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   I keep receiving an alert: “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault”. I contacted Tesla and they informed me that my airbag sensor needs to be recalibrated and may jeopardize a child sitting in the seat if the airbag is deployed. I understand that this is a common problem with the Model of Tesla.

   NHTSA complaint #11637173 · source
10. Filed Dec 28, 2024CAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    I was driving my vehicle. It said there was an issue with code "RCM_a056 Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault." Many older model 3's are having this issue and with the quote from tesla, they would need to perform a retrofit for the electrical wiring system.

    NHTSA complaint #11632840 · source
11. Filed Nov 27, 2024FLAirbagsOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts

    Unknown issue with front passanger safety restraint system. Car suddenly notified me of an issue with the restraint system. Before the fault the car was simply just parked in my driveway, then I went into the car and the safety issue appeared. The seat was adjusted for my mom's height the day prior, this might have caused a wire to become pinched and caused the fault due to how the wiring under the seat is set up from manufacturing. Online search results show this to be a…

    NHTSA complaint #11627805 · source
12. Filed Sep 24, 2024VAAirbags

    When the seat moves forward I get a warning about the restraint error and turn the airbag off. When I slide the seat back the error goes away.

    NHTSA complaint #11616139 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology