2018 Tesla Model 3 Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/12/2026

129Air Bags complaints

13.1%Of all 982 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

Unspecified / other170 · 17.3%

SUSPENSION166 · 16.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM157 · 16%

AIR BAGS129 · 13.1%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL129 · 13.1%

Share of the 982 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Tesla Model 3 overview page.

What owners report

“FREQUENT ERROR STATING "FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT", WITH A RED INDICATOR FOR THE AIRBAG ON DISPLAY. ERROR OCCURS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY, IN…”NHTSA complaint 11231086 — filed 07/11/2019

“TESLA MODEL 3 (2018) PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE MANEUVER AND VEHICLE CONTROL LOSS. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 11154132 — filed 11/26/2018

“DRIVER FELT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING THE CAR. THE ACCELERATION HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF SECONDS WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNING 90% AT…”NHTSA complaint 11097159 — filed 05/22/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Tesla Model 3 have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Tesla Model 3: 129 of 982 complaints on file (13.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Tesla Model 3 have in total?

982 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 100 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 42 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.