2018 Tesla Model 3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 143about this part
- Share
- 14%of 1,036 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 143 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 14% of the 1,036 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,500 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. The car was also in hold mode when I later checked I never stepped down on the accelerator hard enough to reach the speed of running through 2 cemented metal gates. The airbags didn't pop out and Tesla's sensor break system also did not activate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11403795, filed 2021-03, 11,000 miles“My Tesla didn't stop when I applied the brakes, I had a clear distance space between my car and the car I rear ended, any other car would have stopped when you apply the brakes but I think I felt like my car accelerated even I applied the brakes and never stopped. I would sincerely want you to investigate further my case as it could be dangerous for other cars outside when the car behaves this way. I did let Tesla know about what happened and they are yet to get back to me with the details of their findings!”
NHTSA complaint #11306819, filed 2020-02, 16,000 miles“I was at a stop at a red light and was rear-ended christmas eve night, causing my car to be pushed into the vehicle in front of me at the red light. I remember my abdomen hitting the steering wheel and complaining of stomach discomfort immediately following the accident (I've since gotten x-rays and will need 12+ months of chiropractor therapy). I noticed a burning smell inside the cabin, similar to the smell after firing a pistol. I figured it was the airbag, however, there was no deployment of an airbag. …”
NHTSA complaint #11164977, filed 2019-01, 300 miles“I have had a series of escalating incidents (see attached pdf) that have each involved the vehicle disabling automatic emergency braking system (ABS), traction control, partial steering control, regenerative braking (for electric vehicle), and most recently experienced complete loss of steering function while reversing as well as an additional warning that my airbag was disabled. Initially I was advised to reset my car since it may be a software glitch similar to a computer or phone needing a restart. …”
NHTSA complaint #11105184, filed 2018-07, 4,500 miles“I was driving on auto pilot mode when I was going to make a right hand turn when in order to slow down at the traffic ahead of me, I applied the brakes but there was no brake action whatsoever. This was not a panic situation, it was just normal braking. When the brakes failed to actuate and the vehicle accordingly wasn't slowing down, in order to avoid hitting pedestrians or the vehicle in front of me, I swerved to the right and ended up hitting a tree. I sustained injuries as a result of this accident and totaled my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11174504, filed 2019-02, 8,137 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253654Mar 22, 2024When certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles receive a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) in their front passenger seats during vehicle servicing, they may require…
- 10247400Oct 26, 2023On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat electrical harness, causing the…
- 10245515Oct 26, 2023On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat electrical harness, causing the…
- 10243084Aug 8, 2023When certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles receive a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) in their front passenger seats during vehicle servicing, they may require…
- 10234057Mar 27, 2023Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
- 10234053Mar 15, 2023Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
- 10234050Mar 10, 2023When certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles receive a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) in their front passenger seats during vehicle servicing, they may require…
- 10181263Sep 21, 2020On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat harness, causing the airbag…
- 10174931Apr 28, 2020On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat harness, causing the airbag…
- 10169819Dec 30, 2019On some Model 3 vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat harness, causing the airbag indicator to…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 8 | 4% |
| 2023 | 18 | 4% |
| 2022 | 13 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 1% |
| 2020 | 30 | 7% |
| 2019 | 88 | 14% |
| 2018 | 143 | 14% |
| 2017 | 7 | 26% |
Other parts of the 2018 Tesla Model 3
204 complaintsSuspension
192 complaintsOther or unknown
175 complaintsElectrical system
168 complaintsSeat belts
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
91 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsSeats
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsBody and structure
60 complaintsLane departure
52 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology