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Tesla Model 3 Side Curtain Airbag May Be Twisted
high How serious is it? About this label
A twisted side curtain airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury or of an occupant being ejected from the vehicle during a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V834000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Oct 25, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Part affected | AIR Bags:side/window:curtain |
| Vehicles covered | 3 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2023 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
On these Tesla Model 3 vehicles, the left and/or right side curtain airbag may not have been properly secured to the roof rail, which can leave the airbag twisted. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet federal safety standards for side impact protection and for keeping occupants inside the vehicle during a crash. Tesla Service will inspect the airbags and realign them as needed.
What you should do
Contact Tesla Service, or call 1-877-798-3752, to have the side curtain airbags inspected.
Any needed realignment is done free of charge.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V834000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (3)
Who to contact
Tesla — official Tesla recall lookup
Customer service: 1-877-798-3752
The bigger picture
- Tesla Air Bag Recalls: Deployment Problems and Horn Failures · all 6 Tesla recalls in this area
Other Tesla Model 3 recalls
- Aug 5, 2026Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Headlights Too Brighthigh
- Jul 7, 2026Model 3 Vehicles Missing Required Safety Featureshigh
- May 5, 2026Tesla Model 3, S and Y rearview camera image delayedmedium
- Jun 18, 2025Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Seat Fasteners May Be Loosehigh
- Feb 14, 2025Tesla Model 3 Power Steering Assist May Failmedium
- Jan 7, 2025Tesla Model 3 and Model Y May Lose Backup Camerahigh
Official notice
- Component
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
- Summary
- 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."
- Safety risk
- A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
- 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.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.