2021-2025 Tesla Model S Air Bag Recall (24V967)
Tesla, Inc. · 487 vehicles · Reported December 23, 2024
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 487 2021-2025 Tesla Model S; 2021-2025 Tesla Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting." A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 24V967 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V967000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-24-20-001 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 23, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2025 Tesla Model S; 2021-2025 Tesla Model X |
| Units affected | 487 |
| Component | Air Bags > Frontal > Driver Side > Cushion |
| Safety risk | A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2025 Tesla Model S in recall 24V967?
The driver's air bag could tear during deployment.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2025 Model S with recall 24V967?
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 the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Model S shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the cushion, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V967?
Recall 24V967 covers 487 vehicles: 2021-2025 Tesla Model S; 2021-2025 Tesla Model X.
NHTSA lists 487 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2025 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021-2025 | Tesla | Model X |
What is the fix for the Model S air bag recall?
Yes. Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge.
Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
When was recall 24V967 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 24V967 to NHTSA on December 23, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 21, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 23, 2024 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V967000. |
| February 21, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 21 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 24V967?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V967 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 24V967000. 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 24V967?
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 24V967000 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.
- 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 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 877 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 31 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 24V967 was reported on December 23, 2024, owners have filed 15 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 December 23, 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 air bags issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 877 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 31 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.
- 2023 Tesla Model X: 194 complaints in total, 9 about the air bags
- 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
- 2022 Tesla Model X: 127 complaints in total, 9 about the air bags
- 2023 Tesla Model S: 113 complaints in total, 1 about the air bags
- 2021 Tesla Model X: 41 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
- 2024 Tesla Model S: 38 complaints in total, 1 about the air bags
- 2024 Tesla Model X: 26 complaints in total, 2 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 24V967 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 24V967000 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.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V868000.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have 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 24V967
Did the recall 24V967 fix work?
Since recall 24V967 was reported on December 23, 2024, owners have filed 15 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 February 21, 2025.
Is the 24V967000 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 24V967000?
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 24V967000 (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.