2021-2022 Tesla Model S Air Bag Inflator Recall (22V104)
Tesla, Inc. · 9 vehicles · Reported February 23, 2022
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 9 2021-2022 Tesla Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly. An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V104 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V104000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-22-20-001 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 23, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Tesla Model S |
| Units affected | 9 |
| Component | Air Bags > Side / Window > Curtain > Inflator |
| Safety risk | An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Tesla Model S in recall 22V104?
The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Model S with recall 22V104?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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 inflator.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V104?
Recall 22V104 covers 9 vehicles: 2021-2022 Tesla Model S.
NHTSA lists 9 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model S |
What is the fix for the Model S air bag inflator recall?
Yes. Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge.
Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.
When was recall 22V104 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 22V104 to NHTSA on February 23, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 28, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 23, 2022 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V104000. |
| April 28, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 56 months ago. If your Model S was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model S is part of recall 22V104?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V104 is open on your Model S, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 22V104000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Model S owners do about recall 22V104?
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 22V104000 applies to your Model S.
- 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.
- Write down when symptoms involving the inflator happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Model S owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 317 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 22V104 was reported on February 23, 2022, owners have filed 7 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 February 23, 2022, 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 7, 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 317 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 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
- 2022 Tesla Model S: 138 complaints in total, 3 about the air bags
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
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 22V104 make my Model S 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.
Recall 22V104000 does not automatically make your Model S a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
An air bag warning light that keeps coming back after a recall repair is worth documenting. Air bag defects are safety defects, and California law can require fewer repair attempts for them.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Model S 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 S been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model S recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V104
Did the recall 22V104 fix work?
Since recall 22V104 was reported on February 23, 2022, owners have filed 7 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 April 28, 2022.
Is the 22V104000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model S is part of recall 22V104000?
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 22V104000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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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.