Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published March 11, 2023
Tesla Model S 2021 Steering Recall: Air Bag Deployment Risk
Tesla is recalling certain 2021 Model S vehicles with a potential air bag deployment risk during crashes. Owners must have their driver air bag inspected and replaced if needed at no cost.
An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
“Tesla Model S 2021 Steering Recall: Air Bag Deployment Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80687-tesla-model-s-2021-steering-recall-air-bag-deployment-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #23V743000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V743000).
Tesla, Inc. recalled certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles due to a steering air bag hazard, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on March 11, 2023. Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Tesla Model S, 2021-2024
Tesla Model X, 2021-2024
What to do
Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
The hazard
An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel. An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Tesla, Inc. has 71 other recalls on record since 2018-03-29. Other recent recalls of similar products include Tesla 2026 Model Y Suspension Recall (2026-09-01), Tesla Model Y (2026) Recall (2026-07-07), and Tesla Model Y (2025) Recall (2026-05-19). Other recent recalls of similar products include Kia EV9 (2025) Air Bag Recall (2026-08-21), Volkswagen 2025 Tiguan Air Bag Recall (2025-12-10), and Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC (2026) Air Bag Recall (2026-03-27).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2021 Tesla Model S has a steering yoke or wheel that was replaced with a different style. The recall started with owner notifications mailed January 2, 2024.
Brand
Tesla
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Tesla Customer Service
Call Tesla at 1-877-798-3752 to schedule a free air bag inspection and replacement if needed.
Have Air Bag Inspected
Tesla service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary at no cost.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 10 months after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Tesla
We’ve drafted a message you can send Tesla to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 23V743000 — Tesla Model S 2021 Steering Recall: Air Bag Deployment Risk
Hello,
I own a Tesla Model S 2021 Steering Recall: Air Bag Deployment Risk that is covered by recall 23V743000 from Tesla.
The official recall notice states: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
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.
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.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 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.