2019 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet

Passenger airbag sensor problems

25owner reports
35,000median miles
$1,300median quote
1involved a crash

Newest report Aug 25, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

25 of the 82 reports of airbag on the 2019 Model 3 describe passenger airbag sensor faults.

Part of Airbag warning light or recall (82 reports)

Tick what matches of 25 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

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (13 reports) and the module (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2019 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

What owners paid

24 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $900 to $1,800.

$900$1,300$1,800

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

When it happens

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

120

223

924

625

726

What owners wrote

“Front passenger safety restraint system issue requiring replacement of Occupant Classification System and updating front passenger airbag to maintain compatibility with front passenger seat. Costing almost $2000. Many others have reported of multiple repairs”
Filed Aug 25, 2026

“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

“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 25 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.