2026 Tesla Model Y Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 434 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2026 Tesla Model Y, 2% of the 434 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles. 9 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.
“Bought a brand new Model Y and I less than a week I received the below two error message warnings and the airbag light comes on. Cabin occupancy radar obstructed. Front passenger safety restraint system issue. Also to engage the FSD, I have to double tab 2-3 times in order for it to engage.”
NHTSA complaint #11690258, filed 2025-09“My Tesla 2026 Y was in an accident and was totalled. I sustained a broken tibia and a broken sternum. The airbags did not deploy. There was no warning the airbags were faulty. The car was hauled away from the collision center.”
NHTSA complaint #11767400, filed 2026-09“I am writing to raise a serious safety concern regarding my Tesla Model Y Premium AWD 7-seater which was involved in a significant rear-end collision The vehicle sustained substantial impact and has been determined to be a total loss. Given the severity of the collision, I am concerned that none of the airbags deployed. This is a serious safety concern, and I would appreciate a detailed technical explanation rather than a general statement about airbag deployment criteria. …”
NHTSA complaint #11767879, filed 2026-09“I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y when another vehicle pulled out from a driveway and struck the front/side of my car. The Tesla failed to initiate Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and no airbags deployed. This raises serious concerns about the functionality of Tesla’s safety systems in real-world scenarios. The vehicle has not been modified in any way and was in standard driving mode. I have contacted Tesla Support requesting a diagnostic and explanation, but I believe this incident should also be reviewed as a potential safety defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11658970, filed 2025-05“24 hour after taking delivery, operating on Full Self Driving on a residential street at 25-30 mph, the car struck a landscaping trailer parked on the right.The tailgate of the trailer was down and the car struck the left rear upright post of the trailer causing significant damage to my car. No automatic breaking occurred: the car struck the trailer at full speed. The collision alarm sounded just as the vehicle struck the trailer, not before. I requested vehicle status info form Tesla, but the video stops well before the collision and I can't decipher the rest. …”
NHTSA complaint #11687281, filed 2025-09Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2026 Tesla Model Y
139 complaintsForward collision avoidance
130 complaintsElectrical system
61 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsLane departure
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsSuspension
31 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
29 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsWheels
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2026 Tesla Model Y
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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