TESLA MODEL S (2013) recall — Air Bags
Tesla is recalling 2013 Model S vehicles with certain passenger air bag inflators that may explode during deployment, causing serious injury or death. Owners must have the air bags replaced by March 2018.
Stop using this now
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Tesla is recalling all 2013 Model S vehicles with specific passenger air bag inflators that could explode during deployment, potentially causing serious injury or death. Owners must have the air bags replaced by a Tesla service center by March 2018. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1251212-tesla-model-s-2013-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1251212-tesla-model-s-2013-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious · Updated October 6, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #18V031000
Cite this page
“Tesla Model S (2013) Air Bag Recall: Risk of Serious Injury from Inflator Explosion.” GovInfoNow, updated October 6, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1251212-tesla-model-s-2013-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious. Based on NHTSA recall #18V031000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V031000).
Why it’s dangerous
The air bag inflators may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes. This can cause sharp metal fragments to strike occupants, leading to serious injury or death.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2013 Tesla Model S vehicles with certain passenger air bag inflators are affected. Drivers and passengers in these vehicles are at risk of serious injury or death if the air bags deploy.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2013 Tesla Model S has passenger air bag modules with inflators assembled as part of the original equipment or replacement parts. The recall covers vehicles where these inflators were installed by Tesla.
- Brand
Tesla- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Stop Using Vehicle
Immediately stop using the vehicle until the air bag modules are replaced by a Tesla service center.
March 2018Contact Tesla
Call Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 to schedule the air bag replacement.
What NHTSA says to do
Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-20-001.
Questions people ask
Why is this air bag recall happening?
The air bag inflators may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes, potentially causing serious injury or death.
How can I check if my vehicle is affected?
Check if your 2013 Tesla Model S has passenger air bag modules with inflators assembled as part of the original equipment or replacement parts.
What should I do if I own a recalled vehicle?
Contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 to schedule a free air bag replacement at a Tesla service center by March 2018.
Contact Tesla
We’ve drafted a message you can send Tesla to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 18V031000 — Tesla Tesla Hello, I own a Tesla that is covered by recall 18V031000 from Tesla. The official recall notice states: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-20-001. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #18V031000 (September 1, 2018)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 6, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.