2020 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 30owner reports
- $1,444median quote
- 10involved a crash
Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
30 of the 449 complaints on this car describe airbag.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (11 reports) and the module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the airbags covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-006.
What owners paid
9 of the 30 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $1,600.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“Front passenger safety restraint system fault error Received. Airbag icons appeared and apparently safety airbags disabled. No passengers were sitting when error received. Contacted Tesla to report safety concern and was advised charges were due to vehicle outside of 50k warranty. Is safety equipment only valid to work under the warranty?”
Filed Jun 12, 2024
“My car is experiencing a passenger seat safety restraint error, which is a safety issue.”
Filed May 18, 2024
“An error 'Front passenger safety restraint system fault' came up that seems to be a very common issue with someone people paying $1500 to nothing to fix.”
Filed May 12, 2024
“In March 2023, my vehicle was in a major front end collision on the passenger side and the airbag did not deploy. In January 2024, a warning light appeared on my carâs screen that reads âSafety Restraint System Faultâ I then took the vehicle to a Tesla service center who determined that the front passenger airbag and OCS needed to be replaced to maintain compatibilityâ¦.”
Filed Mar 10, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 10 of 30 reports involved a crash and 11 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
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 95 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 91 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 50 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 48 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 45 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports