2018 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Passenger airbag sensor problems
- 41owner reports
- 39,000median miles
- $1,257median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
41 of the 142 reports of airbag on the 2018 Model 3 describe passenger airbag sensor faults.
Part of Airbag warning light or recall (142 reports) · also: Takata airbag recall
Tick what matches of 41 reports
Passenger airbag sensor faults on other Model 3 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for the passenger seat sensor, the system that decides whether the front passenger airbag should be on or off. Owners here see a "passenger airbag off" light with an adult in the seat, or an airbag warning that comes on when someone sits down.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (22 reports), the module (8 reports) and the seat cushion (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the airbags covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
33 of the 41 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,000 to $1,768.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“This is a widespread safety issue that requires a recall! This is not isolated. Model 3 passenger airbags are at risk of not deploying. Car alert: Update Front Passenger Airbag to Maintain Compatibility with Front Passenger Seat Remedy: âReplace Front Passenger Airbag And Update Vehicle Configurationâ”
Filed Mar 2, 2025
“Passenger Safety Restraint system fault. Faulty wiring under the seat. Cost of repair is $1000. Passenger airbag requires replacement.”
Filed Dec 21, 2024
“My car started giving me an alert for a "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault". There has been no accident to cause an issue. I'm being told by the service center that it is a known occurrence and certain models/years, require a new safety vent type front passenger airbag to maintain compatibility between the front passenger seat and the front passenger airbag.”
Filed Jun 3, 2024
“Passenger Airbag and seat are faulty. Received error message on my car âfront passenger safety restraint system faultyâ. Tesla is wanting to replace the airbag and passenger seat and seat belt and it will cost few thousands dollars.”
Filed May 2, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 41 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 186 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 152 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 131 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 100 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 88 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 82 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 38 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 32 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 29 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 26 reports