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Model 3 Vehicles Missing Required Safety Features

NHTSA campaign 26V445000 · Reported Jul 7, 2026 · Tesla, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

A vehicle that does not meet these safety standards may offer less protection to occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	26V445000
Reported to NHTSA	Jul 7, 2026
Manufacturer	Tesla, Inc.
Part affected	Structure:body:bumpers
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2024–2026
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain Tesla vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags. They may also be missing certain interior safety features and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet federal safety standards for occupant crash protection, interior impact protection, and bumper standards.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected.
2. Contact Tesla at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com.
3. Tesla will repurchase affected vehicles at no cost to the owner.

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 26V445000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2024 Tesla Model 3
2026 Tesla Model Y

Who to contact

Tesla — official Tesla recall lookup

Customer service: 1-877-798-3752

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Tesla Structure Recalls Cover Loose Cybertruck Trim and Missing Protections · all 3 Tesla recalls in this area

Other Tesla Model 3 recalls

Aug 5, 2026Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Headlights Too Brighthigh
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
Dec 17, 2024Tesla Cybertruck, Model 3, Model Y tire pressure warning light faultmedium

All 35 Model 3 recalls

Official notice

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."
Safety risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.