Recall 17V023 affects 2,997 2012 Tesla Model S vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that can rupture. Repair is free at any Tesla service center.
Tesla is recalling 2,997 2012 Model S vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during a crash deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Tesla is developing the remedy, and the repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2012 Tesla Model S is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that requires the front air bags to deploy, the inflator burns propellant to create gas and fill the air bag fast enough to help protect the passenger.
These vehicles used Takata PSPI 1.1 non-desiccated inflators with phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. Non-desiccated means the inflator does not contain a drying agent to control moisture. Over long exposure to humidity and temperature changes, the propellant degrades. During deployment, degraded propellant can burn too aggressively and rupture the inflator instead of inflating the air bag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the sealed inflator, so the air bag warning light or normal driving feel will not tell you whether this inflator has degraded.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Tesla Model S | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,997 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2012 Tesla Model S sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front passenger air bag inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin and strike occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. There is no warning sign listed before rupture, so confirm whether your VIN is included and arrange the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Tesla dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Tesla Model S is included in this recall.
- Contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 to confirm repair timing before scheduling service.
- Ask about the free passenger-front-air-bag inflator replacement that removes the rupture-prone inflator.
- Reference recall number 17V023 when you call or schedule service.
- Bring the recall notice if Tesla mailed one to you.
What happens at the repair
Tesla lists the remedy as still under development, so do not assume the final dealer appointment can be scheduled from this record alone. Once Tesla opens the repair, a Tesla technician will replace the front passenger air bag assembly covered by recall 17V023. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Tesla has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair. Keep any repair invoice and proof of payment, then ask Tesla customer service how to submit documented expenses.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 10, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 17, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| January 17, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 17, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 12, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V023?
Recall 17V023 covers 2,997 2012 Tesla Model S vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment after long-term propellant degradation. Tesla replaces the front passenger air bag for free through Tesla service.
What should I do if my 2012 Tesla Model S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Model S is included in recall 17V023. If it is, contact Tesla service to schedule the front passenger air bag replacement. Reference recall number 17V023 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Tesla replaces the front passenger air bag free of charge for included 2012 Model S vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is metal fragments from a ruptured passenger air bag inflator striking people in the vehicle during a crash that requires frontal air bag deployment. Tesla's recall filing links that failure to serious injury or death, and the fix is the free passenger air bag replacement.
What if I bought my Tesla Model S used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012 Model S is included, then contact Tesla service with recall number 17V023.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V023000 |
|---|---|
| Tesla customer service | 1-877-798-3752 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V023 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V023000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →