Tesla recalls Model X SUVs over airbags that can seriously hurt children

Tesla recalls Model X SUVs over airbags that can seriously hurt children

November 29, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – November 29, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 29,348 2021-2023 Tesla Model X electric SUVs because their front passenger airbags may “deploy incorrectly” when a child is seated in that spot. While it is not clear what the manufacturer means by incorrect deployment, airbags that deploy while a small child is in the seat can cause a serious injury or even death of the child occupant.

Recall summary

Front passenger airbags are designed to deploy differently depending on who is seated in that spot. More specifically, this safety device should not be triggered when a small, unbelted child is in that seat. But due to incorrect calibration caused by a software issue, exactly this may happen during a crash at low speeds.  

The part causing this recall is the Vehicle Firmware, with version releases before 2022.40.200.   

Recall risks

Airbags are designed to protect adults. Even then they can cause injuries when deploying given that the deployment happens in milliseconds with very high force. For children, these injuries can prove to be very serious or even fatal as their head can be pulled away from the body by the force of the airbag inflating.

Safety tips

Children under 13 should never be seated in the front seat as it doubles their risk of injury in a crash. If you must put your child in the front seat, make sure that you move the seat as far away from the dash as possible. If possible, also manually turn off the airbag, “especially for a rear-facing seat.”

Be sure to connect with your local fire department or another first responder for free child seat checks.

Other Tesla Model X recalls

Apart from this Tesla airbag recall, Model X was recently affected by a power steering issue that may result in a loss of control. 

Earlier this month, Model 3 and Model X were recalled over faulty tail lamps, as reported.

The repair

Tesla has launched a free over-the-air firmware update with corrected calibrations for the airbag control module. You can reach out to Tesla customer service to ensure that the update has been implemented on your car.

Owners will be sent letters with additional information on January 14, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 30,000 electric SUVs are affected by this Tesla Model X airbag recall. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls Model X SUVs over airbags that can seriously hurt children
Tesla issues recall due to loss of access to essential functions

Tesla issues recall due to loss of access to essential functions

May 21, 2022 Senamile Nkosi

Austin, TX – May 21, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 129,960 vehicles because the infotainment system’s central processing unit (CPU) may overheat, resulting in a loss of access to essential functions, such as warning lights.

This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The recall includes the following models:

  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

During the fast-charging process, the infotainment CPU — the processing unit that controls the screen display — may fail to cool down properly due to a firmware issue. The excess heat can slow down the CPU or trigger a restart. As a result, the center screen may lag or go blank.

Recall risks

If the center screen is not functioning properly, the driver may be unable to view features such as the rearview camera image, the gear selection screen, windshield visibility control settings and warning lights. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Warning signs

The Tesla infotainment system’s display may lag or appear blank.

Other Tesla recalls

A recent 2022 Tesla Model 3 recall,  announced in May, involved the failure to display the unit of speed (miles per hour or kilometers per hour). The recall also included the 2018 – 2021 model years. 

In April, the 2017 – 2022 models of the same vehicle were recalled for a second time over a faulty pedestrian warning system. 

Another recall that Tesla issued in April was over airbags that may fail to deploy. The 2021 – 2022 Model X vehicles were part of this recall.

The repair

Tesla started deploying an over-the-air (OTA) software update to address the overheating of the CPU on May 3 at no cost to owners. It is not clear if the update has been rolled out to all affected cars as of the time of this publication.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Tesla regarding the repair program by July 1, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 130,000 Tesla vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, perform a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiTesla issues recall due to loss of access to essential functions
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