2023 Tesla Model Y Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,190 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,246miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 3% of the 1,190 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,246 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am requesting an urgent review of the airbag non-deployment for my 2023 Tesla Model Y involved in a front-impact collision on [Jan 19th 2026]. Because the vehicle has been declared a total loss and may be released to salvage at any time, I urgently request that Tesla preserve and review the vehicle’s crash data (EDR/SRS) and confirm whether the restraint system performed as designed.”
NHTSA complaint #11715085, filed 2026-02“First time when it happened, i was able to control and It went to back to normal. I did not pay attention after. Second time I took right turn and the car drove in left lane but this time I felt steering was rigid and was unable to control the Steering and hit a tree. Driver seat air bag was deployed and all doors were locked. Gel from air bag burned my right hand wrist.”
NHTSA complaint #11613574, filed 2024-09“My car was hit by another car in front left corner and side door at very high impact. Car has severe damaged and it is totaled now. Air bags on the driver side did not deploy even at such high impact. No air bags were deployed. There was only one person, myself driver, in the car. Police came and investigated the accident and filed report. I have also submitted the air bags issue to Tesla.”
NHTSA complaint #11630696, filed 2024-12“My vehicle is less than a year old and still under warranty. The dashboard display is showing the following error message: “front passenger safety restraint system fault”. Tesla informed me that the occupant classification safety system filter module has failed and must be replaced. Tesla has agreed to fix the component under warranty, but they informed me they could not schedule a repair until October 31. …”
NHTSA complaint #11611288, filed 2024-08“I was driving down I90 with no one in front of me and a clear road. Unexpectedly, the right side passenger airbags exploded and struck me in the face and shoulder. The car immediately braked and I saw a semi truck pass me on the right with pieces of what appeared to be tire debris flying in the air. I pulled over and my car become inoperable. I inspected the outside of the vehicle and there was no damage or collision at all yet the passenger side airbags went off.”
NHTSA complaint #11605317, filed 2024-07Related 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
Other parts of the 2023 Tesla Model Y
481 complaintsSteering
217 complaintsVehicle speed control
168 complaintsOther or unknown
163 complaintsBrakes
155 complaintsSuspension
136 complaintsElectrical system
125 complaintsLane departure
83 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
64 complaintsWheels
52 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
42 complaintsSeat belts
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Tesla Model Y
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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