2023 Tesla Model 3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 4%of 429 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,447miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2023 Tesla Model 3, 4% of the 429 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,447 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“UNKNOWN Moving collision resulted in insurance company describing damage as a total loss. It was inspected by an auto collision expert; his description, photos and estimate were forwarded to a claims specialist at the insurance company. The side of my head hit the window on the driver's side, but no airbags inflated. I feel this was a risk to my overall safety. There were no warning messages.”
NHTSA complaint #11643742, filed 2025-02“I was involved in an accident due to what I believe was a malfunction in my Tesla’s steering system. While driving, the car unexpectedly turned the wheel to the left on its own and collided with a parked car. Despite my efforts to regain control by turning the wheel to the right and applying the brakes, the vehicle did not respond, and I was unable to prevent the crash. Given the lack of control and failure of the braking system, I strongly believe there was a serious issue with the car that led to the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11647943, filed 2025-03“I have front passenger Service Alerts for the code SRS system and it happened many times. Tesla does service center can not fix the problem and keep telling me monitor the problem if it happens again. The code is RCM2_a636_ocsFaulted. Tesla service center tested the SRS system, updated software calibration and lastly today Tesla technician send me the software update and I updated it. The code shows up right away when I drove the car to the local super market. What can I do about this problem Sir.”
NHTSA complaint #11557318, filed 2023-11“During a major car accident the airbags for my Tesla, Model 3, 2023 did not deploy airbags although other impacted cars had full airbags deployed. This posed a risk to my safety as a driver due to not having the proper equipment deployed during a major accident. This was noticed by the emergency personnel on the scene who stated that based on my impact the airbags should have been activated from my collision. According to the safety records associated with my car to date there are no safety reports regarding the airbags for my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11697029, filed 2025-11“A fatal crash occurred involving a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The vehicle departed the roadway, impacted a guardrail, struck a utility pole on the driver’s side, rolled down an embankment, and came to rest upright. The crash resulted in catastrophic intrusion into the driver’s compartment and a fatal injury to the driver. …”
NHTSA complaint #11746034, filed 2026-06Related recalls
- 21V834000Oct 25, 2021Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2020–2021, 2023
Related service bulletins
- 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.
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 2023 Tesla Model 3
179 complaintsSteering
89 complaintsVehicle speed control
69 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsBrakes
56 complaintsElectrical system
51 complaintsLane departure
28 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 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