2021 Tesla Model X Air Bag Recall (21V868)
Tesla, Inc. · 7,600 vehicles · Reported November 9, 2021
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 7,600 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment. A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V868 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V868000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-21-20-007 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 9, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X |
| Units affected | 7,600 |
| Component | Air Bags > Frontal > Driver Side > Cushion |
| Safety risk | A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model X in recall 21V868?
The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Model X with recall 21V868?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the cushion.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V868?
Recall 21V868 covers 7,600 vehicles: 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X.
NHTSA lists 7,600 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model X |
What is the fix for the Model X air bag recall?
Yes. Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge.
Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.
When was recall 21V868 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 21V868 to NHTSA on November 9, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 7, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 9, 2021 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V868000. |
| January 7, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 59 months ago. If your Model X was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model X is part of recall 21V868?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V868 is open on your Model X, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Model X vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Model X owners do about recall 21V868?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V868000 applies to your Model X.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Tesla dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any cushion symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Model X owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 5 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 21V868 was reported on November 9, 2021, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the air bags and were received on or after November 9, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related air bags issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 220 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 5 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Tesla Model S: 179 complaints in total, 5 about the air bags
- 2021 Tesla Model X: 41 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
I have started receiving airbag & seat safety issue alert but recieved appointment after a month even considering major safety concern. Some of 2021 vehicles are serviced under the recall Tesla sent. But told me mine doesn’t qualify for same issue for same year, same model cars.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, IN, NHTSA complaint 11711634, filed January 17, 2026
Safety restraint system malfunction. On January 18, 2022 this brand new car, only 3 days old with 1,000 miles, suffered a malfunction with the safety restraint system and displayed the following warning: "Safety restraint system fault – Service is required." This is a safety issue that should be investigated by the NHTSA.
2021 Tesla Model S owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11449046, filed January 26, 2022
Tesla Service Center canceling appointments to repair driver airbag recall. Numerous attempts to have recall accomplished with Tesla Service Center in Palm Springs, CA. Unsuccessful since November 2021 (3 months).
2021 Tesla Model S owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11455277, filed March 4, 2022
Can recall 21V868 make my Model X a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Tesla Model X has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Model X went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Model X been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model X recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V868
Did the recall 21V868 fix work?
Since recall 21V868 was reported on November 9, 2021, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed January 7, 2022.
Is the 21V868000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model X is part of recall 21V868000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V868000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.