Recall 19V002 affects 68,673 2014-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any Tesla Service Center.
Tesla is recalling 68,673 2014-2016 Model S vehicles because certain passenger frontal air bag inflators can explode during a crash deployment after long-term humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into occupants, with risk of serious injury or death; Tesla will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in a 2014-2016 Tesla Model S sits inside the passenger air bag module. During a crash that calls for deployment, the inflator burns propellant to make gas quickly, filling the air bag between the passenger and the front of the car.
On affected Model S vehicles, the Takata inflator uses non-desiccated ammonium nitrate, a propellant without a drying agent inside the inflator. After long exposure to humidity and repeated temperature changes, the propellant degrades. When the air bag deploys, the weakened propellant can burn too aggressively and rupture the inflator housing.
The replacement air bag modules use inflators that do not contain this non-desiccated ammonium nitrate design. There is no warning sign before failure. A normal dashboard light or normal air bag readiness message does not confirm that the inflator is safe.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Model S model years, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2014 Tesla Model S | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2015 Tesla Model S | front air bag |
| 2016 Tesla Model S | front air bag |
| Units affected | 68,673 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 19V002 describes an inflator explosion that can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. This is a high consequence air bag defect, so schedule the replacement soon and follow Tesla service instructions. Repair is free at any franchised Tesla dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Tesla Model S is included in this recall.
- Contact a Tesla Service Center to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag module replacement, which replaces the inflator that can rupture during deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Tesla mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V002 when you call.
- Call Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 with questions before your service appointment.
- Limit front passenger use until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At a Tesla Service Center, a Tesla technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag modules covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. Tesla's general reimbursement plan is on file for this campaign, so owners who already paid for a related passenger frontal air bag module repair should contact Tesla customer service and provide repair documentation for review. Use the recall number SB 19 20 001 when speaking with Tesla.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 7, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 7, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 7, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 29, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V002?
Recall 19V002 covers 68,673 2014-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during a crash deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Tesla Model S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Model S is included in recall 19V002. If it is, contact Tesla customer service or a Tesla Service Center to schedule the passenger frontal air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 19V002 and Tesla recall SB-19-20-001 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Tesla says its Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules free of charge for vehicles included in recall 19V002.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is serious injury or death from sharp metal fragments if the passenger frontal air bag inflator explodes during a crash deployment. The fix is to have Tesla replace the passenger frontal air bag module for free before relying on that air bag in a crash.
What if I bought my Tesla Model S used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2014-2016 Model S is included, then contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or a Tesla Service Center for the free replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V002000 |
|---|---|
| Tesla customer service | 1-877-798-3752 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V002 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V002000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →