2017 Tesla Model S Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 431 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,236miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Tesla Model S, 1% of the 431 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,236 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There are challenges with the mcu1 and its integration with fsd hardware #3. This manifests as freezes on the central and drivers displays until the cars mcu does a full restart(speedometer is not affected). This restart can take as little as 5min or can stay off for the drive until manually force reboot initiated. During the freeze I experience loss of passenger airbag(warning comes on, I cant tell if other airbags are affected). The climate control system turns off no A/C or heat is available. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352297, filed 2020-08, 60,000 miles“While pulling into a parking spot at a busy shopping center, and applying the brake pedal (having moved it over from accelerator) to stop the car at about 5 MPH, the Model S suddenly lurched forward at full acceleration hitting not 1 but 2 parked cars. Nothing would stop the car as it took over and went forward with both my feet pressing the brake pedal as hard as I could. Finally it stopped after hitting a second parked car. Tesla has not responded, despite 2 days of emails and calls.”
NHTSA complaint #11089262, filed 2018-04, 24,473 miles“At our driveway on sun. 1/14/18, coming back from shopping a few minutes before four pm, suddenly the car took off by itself. It accelerated tremendously with the speed which was felt around 65-80 m/hr, hitting our heavy garage door, which was closed at the time, went through the garage, hit my parked porsche and pushed it to the left to the water heater. …”
NHTSA complaint #11065563, filed 2018-01“Full Self driving did not show signs of slowing down at Everett traffic slow down from about 60 miles to a standstill. I realized the speed not slowing down (about 5 car distance from stopped distance) I tried to apply the brakes that were completely nonresponsive, instead the car sped up. I avoided backend collision with the first car be maneuvering to the shoulder, however the next car was parked halfway into the shoulder that didn't leave enough room to not hit it. The car hit two other cars before coming to a full stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #11605194, filed 2024-07“During a road accident, Driver airbags were deployed and caused injuries to driver in left hand, left leg and right chest by flying debris’s due to airbag deployment.”
NHTSA complaint #11688760, filed 2025-09Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 4 | 2% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 2% |
| 2015 | 22 | 3% |
| 2014 | 13 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2017 Tesla Model S
114 complaintsSuspension
107 complaintsOther or unknown
96 complaintsForward collision avoidance
69 complaintsSteering
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsLane departure
24 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
20 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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