Diagsheet

2019 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet

Airbag warning light or recall

  • 82owner reports
  • 39,140median miles
  • $1,180median quote
  • 9involved a crash

Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

82 of the 610 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 Model 3.

Tick what matches of 82 reports

26
57
5
2

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (42 reports) and the module (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2019 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

What owners paid

52 of the 82 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $460 to $1,600.

$460$1,180$1,600
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

219
320
121
622
923
2824
1925
1426

What owners wrote

“Our seatbelts and airbags required replacement as Tesla stated safety equipment on a Tesla is only guaranteed until 60,000 miles and after that they often need repairs. It was quite expensive. The seatbelts and airbags total cost was $1296.40 and already the Tesla says the front passenger airbag needs to be replaced again.”

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · 60,000 miles

“I get an intermittent error message: RCM_a021 Front left safety restraint system fault service is required Tesla service charges nearly $360 for this repair. I have understood from owners with the same issue that the connector to the seat belt pretensioner is the issue. Several owners have the same issue.”

Filed Oct 6, 2023

“This is a rampant problem with tesla models. You get a seat restraint safety feature has failed. These are being repaired with a make shift repair and the owners are being charged for it.”

Filed Sep 18, 2023

“I have a warning sign stating my air bag system on the passenger side is not working. Many drivers have reported this as an issue. Due to the fact that the car is no longer under warranty I am concerned if I get I to an accident and the air bags don’t deploy, my loved ones are in grave danger if they are in the passenger seat.”

Filed Jul 10, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 9 of 82 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. 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.

Other problems on this car