The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·19V002000·Announced 2019-01-07

Tesla Recalls 2014-2016 Model S Vehicles Due to Air Bag Inflator Defect

Tesla is recalling 2014-2016 Model S vehicles because passenger air bag inflators may explode during deployment, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the inflator explosion may result in 'serious injury or death,' which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating involving significant injury or death reports/risks.

Plain-English summary

Tesla, Inc. is recalling approximately 68,673 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain passenger frontal air bag inflators. These inflators were used as original equipment or replacement equipment. The defect involves propellant degradation that occurs after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

In the event of a crash that necessitates the deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode. This explosion can result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, which may cause serious injury or death.

Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules free of charge. The recall began on 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. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
TESLA MODEL S
Brand
TESLA
Manufacturer
Tesla, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag
Hazard
Affected units
68,673

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • MODEL S

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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