2021-2024 Tesla Model S Air Bag Recall (25V172)
Tesla, Inc. · 91 vehicles · Reported March 19, 2025
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 91 2021-2024 Tesla Model S; 2021-2025 Tesla Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding. An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V172 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V172000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-25-20-001 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 19, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2024 Tesla Model S; 2021-2025 Tesla Model X |
| Units affected | 91 |
| Component | Air Bags |
| Safety risk | An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2024 Tesla Model S in recall 25V172?
An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2024 Model S with recall 25V172?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, 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 air bags.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V172?
Recall 25V172 covers 91 vehicles: 2021-2024 Tesla Model S; 2021-2025 Tesla Model X.
NHTSA lists 91 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2024 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021-2025 | Tesla | Model X |
What is the fix for the Model S air bag recall?
Yes. Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge.
Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
When was recall 25V172 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 25V172 to NHTSA on March 19, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 20, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 19, 2025 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V172000. |
| May 20, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 18 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 25V172?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V172 is open on your Model S, 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 2021-2024 Model S 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 S owners do about recall 25V172?
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 25V172000 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.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any air bags 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 S owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 871 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 31 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 25V172 was reported on March 19, 2025, 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 March 19, 2025, 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 871 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
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The vehicle developed a leak in the AC condensate drain. The leak is directly above the safety restraint control module. The module got wet deactivating the vehicle and causing havoc with the airbag system.
2022 Tesla Model S owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11726866, filed March 24, 2026
The Left headlight does not work and the airbag compartment is protruding out at a weird angle. This has been like this since delivery.
2022 Tesla Model S owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11462603, filed April 28, 2022
Today I parked my car front of my house after couple ours I heard the voice and when I come close to my car I see the airbag is deployed I want you know the car doesn’t have any impact any accident when the airbag is deployed the car was off…
2022 Tesla Model S owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11552774, filed October 31, 2023
Can recall 25V172 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.
Owners often ask whether this air bags recall means their Model S qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair 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.
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.
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.
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 25V172
Did the recall 25V172 fix work?
Since recall 25V172 was reported on March 19, 2025, 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 May 20, 2025.
Is the 25V172000 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 25V172000?
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 25V172000 (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.