2019 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet

Passenger airbag sensor problems

26owner reports
35,000median miles
$1,300median quote
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 10, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

26 of the 85 reports of airbag on the 2019 Model 3 describe passenger airbag sensor faults.

Part of Airbag warning light or recall (85 reports)

No recall on this systemas of Oct 2, 2026

1 crashin 26 reports

Tick what matches of 26 reports

the passenger airbag light stays on

the seat sensor does not detect a passenger

a light object is read as a passenger

the passenger airbag is disabled

a code was found for the sensor

the seat cushion or foam was replaced

Passenger airbag sensor faults on other Model 3 years

201841 reports 201926 reports

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.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (14 reports) and the module (6 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.

What owners paid

26 of the 26 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $806 to $1,800.

$806$1,300$1,800

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

What owners wrote

“There is an error with my car's Occupant Classification System (OCS) which is giving me an alarm of "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault". Tesla only "fix" is to replace the OCS with what seems to be a newer version. You can tell it is a new version because they are also telling me I need to replace my airbag as my current airbag is not compatible with the new OCS.”
Filed Aug 21, 2025

“Occupant sensor and wiring harness in the front seat becomes "pinched" under the seat when my son sits in the seat. Error code comes up on the dashboard.”
Filed Jun 6, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 26 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