2021 Tesla Model S Pedestrian Alert Sound Recall (24V153)
Tesla, Inc. · 6,557 vehicles · Reported February 27, 2024
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 6,557 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles." Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Recall 24V153 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V153000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-24-00-006 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 27, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 6,557 |
| Component | Forward Collision Avoidance > Warnings > External / Pedestrian Alert |
| Safety risk | Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Over-the-air software update |
What is wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model S in recall 24V153?
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Model S with recall 24V153?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of 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 external and pedestrian alert.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V153?
Recall 24V153 covers 6,557 vehicles: 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3; 2021 Tesla Model S; 2021 Tesla Model X; 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 6,557 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 3 |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model X |
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model S pedestrian alert sound recall?
Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
When was recall 24V153 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 24V153 to NHTSA on February 27, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 27, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 27, 2024 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V153000. |
| April 27, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 31 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 24V153?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V153 is open on your Model S, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 24V153000 is open on your Model S, it will be listed there, along with Tesla recall number SB-24-00-006. You can also ask any Tesla dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Model S owners do about recall 24V153?
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 24V153000 applies to your Model S.
- Call a Tesla dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- 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 external and pedestrian alert 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 3,593 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 615 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 24V153 was reported on February 27, 2024, owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 12 of them (16%) 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 driver assistance and were received on or after February 27, 2024, 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 driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 3,593 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 615 of them involve the driver assistance. 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 Y: 1,079 complaints in total, 160 about the driver assistance
- 2022 Tesla Model Y: 865 complaints in total, 142 about the driver assistance
- 2022 Tesla Model 3: 765 complaints in total, 169 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 125 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Tesla Model S: 179 complaints in total, 15 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Tesla Model X: 41 complaints in total, 4 about the driver assistance
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control activated, the vehicle would independently brake with the Forward Collision Avoidance warning chime being audible.
2022 Tesla Model 3 owner, IN, NHTSA complaint 11442803, filed December 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle abruptly reduced speed to approximately 35 MPH without warning. The contact indicated that no other vehicles or objects were nearby to cause the Forward Collision Avoidance system to be activated.
2022 Tesla Model 3 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11480599, filed August 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while her husband was driving 50 mph on cruise control, the vehicle began to decelerate independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated they continue to experience the failure five to ten times on the first trip.
2022 Tesla Model 3 owner, ID, NHTSA complaint 11486386, filed September 26, 2022
Can recall 24V153 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.
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)).
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
This recall is handled by an over-the-air software update, so many owners never visit a dealer. If the problem returns after the update, take the 2021 Tesla Model S to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up on a repair order. An update that does not work is still a failed repair.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 22V063000.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
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.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no 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 24V153
Did the recall 24V153 fix work?
Since recall 24V153 was reported on February 27, 2024, owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 12 of them (16%) 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 27, 2024.
Is the 24V153000 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 24V153000?
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.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
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 24V153000 (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.