This issue appears to be related to a known MCU failure affecting early Tesla Model S vehicles. The touchscreen exhibits screen melting/discoloration and eventually goes blank or becomes inoperative. When this occurs, critical functions including occupant detection indicators, seatbelt warnings, and windshield defrost controls may become unavailable. The loss of these functions creates potential safety risks involving visibility, occupant protection, and driver awareness while operating the vehicle."
2014 Tesla Model S airbags problems
13 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Tesla Model S airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-20-001.
Recall number 19V002000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
What 2014 Tesla Model S owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Three separate reports from car to Tesla: Traction Control Disabled Stability Control Disabled Automatic Emergency Braking Disabled Two hours later my car caught on fire while parked at my home. It was declared a total loss.
On Hwy 156, a farm country road near Hollister, California, a motorist travelling immediately behind a white Tesla reported that the Tesla suddenly and inexplicably accelerated from 55 mph to 65 mph and crossed the double yellow lines. It made no apparent attempt to cross back into the original lane. In less than 3 seconds -- 170 feet by CHP ground measurement -- the Tesla collided head-on with a semi traveling in the opposite direction. All four occupants in the Tesla were killed instantly. The truck driver was injured, but not seriously. The four deceased occupants were my daughter (53), my twin granddaughters (14), and my grandson (12). According to the CHP report, all wore seat-belts. The airbag for the driver did not deploy, but the other three did. My grandson was ejected and dismembered but the other three were not. His seatbelt status is therefore questionable. Her grief-stricken and angry ex-husband, father of the three children, accused the driver of deliberately committing suicide and took the lives of the three children with her. Yet from the CHP investigation, the four had just enjoyed a pleasant outing in their favorite restaurant and shops for several hours with no sign of anyone distraught. The restaurant receipt shows no alcohol was consumed. They had texted people and showed nothing out of the ordinary. Forty minutes later, they all perished. Her mother and step-father, her boyfriend, her best friend, and other close acquaintances, were all surprised by her sudden death. No suicide note was found anywhere, not in her journal and not in her media posts. No despondent communication of any kind was conveyed to anyone. Her extreme devotion to the children would make her willfully taking their lives very uncharacteristic. If not suicide, what made the Tesla behave so strangely and deliberately? the federal safety agency has been investigating Tesla crashes involving sudden left turns into oncoming traffic. Please use your expertise and resources to investigate this.
My vehicle has had a problem with the mulitmediacard (emmc) for years. I have all the documentation from previous reports. I was notified finally by tesla that a recall is underway, but they have not scheduled the repair, and when I enter my VIN number on tesla's VIN recall search, I get this message error looking up VIN. Error code 91". There is no way to call tesla, as they require people to schedule in the app. But there is no way to schedule this service in the app at this time. My car spontaneously blacks out while I am driving and several of the intended functions do not work 100% of the time. I am becoming concerned about driving this car at all. Can you please help?
We were driving down the highway, and the steering would stop working ( hitting uneven road or switching lanes). I did not have control of the car. Meaning in certain areas of the road, there was absolutely no control. It was as if the power steering completely went out. In another area, it would work somewhat, and then we would hit another area and it would not work at all. When we informed the tesla service center they replaced the screen ( because it had been melting) but said the steering was a tire issue. I assure you it was not. Please note that the screen has to be replaced because it had been melting goo and this good was dropping out on the center console. This goo had dripped in the airbags and made them non-operational. The only reason we were told of the inoperational airbags is that we had to purchase new ones. Please make sure this defect does not happen to another person/family, as it could be fatal. Four images attached:1. Screen above, 2. Leakage below the steering. 3. Image of touchscreen. 4. Image of touchscreen. You can see the leakage in all images.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 tesla model s. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to have the passenger frontal air bag replaced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v031000 (air bags) however, the dealer was unable to perform the recall repair. The contact was informed that the cmu software needed to be updated out of pocket prior to the air bag replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,900.
Dear sir, I bought a tesla car from USA auction and imported it from USA to my home country jordan. I contacted tesla USA to change the ownership of the car to my account and it is done. I'm driving my car for +2 years now. Tesla USA sent me an email and mail letter stating that my car has recalls. When I visited tesla jordan to repair the recall; they refused to repair the recalls; claiming that my car is not supported due to old accident history (while the car was in USA);;; even though the accident history is repaired by tesla USA. Now, I'm under the risk of the airbag and steering faulty, which might danger me and my family; god forbid. Regards,
"takata recall" and bolts that attach the power steering motor to the power steering gear. Subject: recall code: 19v‑002 / recall code: 18v‑204 / recall code: 19v‑002. Replacement of front airbags and power steering engine bolts. Hon. Gentlemen, my advance and respectful regards. As agent of the hon. Mr. (xxxx), I come to expose and request as follows: please inform my constituent member that I have received a letter from you. Realizing the need to replace your tesla brand air bag. This need, according to your information, is related to a defect detected in certain models produced between 2014 and 2016. More inform you. Failure to remedy the anomaly may result in the explosion of the aforementioned air bag, and as a consequence passengers may be hit with sharp metal fragments, resulting in serious injury or even death (as document attached). I have also learned from you that due to exposure to corrosive environments certain bolts may break and result in the loss of power steering, which may result in accidents (see attached document). In the light of the foregoing, my constituent immediately went to tesla's premises in lisbon, av. Antnio augusto de aguiar 31, 1069-413, in order that your representative should carry out the interventions indicated by your services. Successes that regrettably, tesla in lisbon refuses to make the necessary replacement, and for this reason the vehicle in question remains a serious danger to those who drive it. Now, in the light of all the above, and since the life of my constituent and his family is at present in danger, I use this letter in order to ask you to tell me where to go to solve it. The reported anomalies. Without another matter at the moment, awaiting your dear news, I subscribe myself with high consideration. Annex: your calling actions, vehicle registration. The lawyer redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 tesla model s. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 18v204000 (steering) and 19v002000 (air bags). The contact reached out to tesla (100 south lake destiny rd, edenville, fl), but the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 tesla model s. The contact received an unknown recall notice regarding the air bags. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Tesla (6801 washington ave s, #110, minneapolis, mn 55439, (952) 944-1373) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts would be available. The contact stated that the vehicle was salvaged, which could be an issue going forward with the manufacturer performing the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Questions about the 2014 Tesla Model S airbags
Does the 2014 Tesla Model S have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 2014 Tesla Model S, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2014 Tesla Model S airbags problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Tesla Model S airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 19V002000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Tesla Model S have bad airbags?
The Tesla Model S model years with the most airbags complaints are 2015 (22 complaints), 2016 (14 complaints) and 2014 (13 complaints).
Other 2014 Tesla Model S problems
Electrical 134Suspension 90Body 27Lights 27Steering 27Transmission 27Fuel system 24Acceleration 22Driver assistance 20Visibility 18Engine 12Brakes 10Wheels 6Locks 4Seat belts 2Seats 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2014 Tesla Model S?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history