Tesla Model X Recalled For Two Safety Problems

The side curtain airbags may not deploy as intended in certain Tesla Model X vehicles.

Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2021-2022 Model X vehicles because of a problem affecting the left and/or right front row side curtain air bags.  These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

In December 2021, Tesla observed an irregularity in the deployment of the side front row curtain airbag during developmental testing.  Further observation fount that, when the corresponding LH or RH side front row window is lowered, the LH or RH side front row curtain airbag may interact with the a-pillar trim during deployment. The interaction could affect the curtain airbag performance, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Tesla Service Centers to have the left and right front row side curtain air bags replaced.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-003 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-233.

Tesla is also recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles.

According to the defect report, performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for electric and hybrid vehicles prohibit manufacturers from altering or modifying the sound emitting capability of the pedestrian warning system (PWS), through which the pedestrian alert sounds emit. On affected vehicles, the Boombox functionality allows a customer to play preset or custom sounds through the PWS external speaker when the vehicle is parked or in motion, including if Summon or Smart Summon is in use. While Boombox and the pedestrian alert sound are mutually exclusive sounds, sounds emitted using Boombox could be construed to obscure or prevent the PWS from complying with FMVSS 141 when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral or Reverse, including if Summon or Smart Summon is in use. This recall supersedes Recall No. 22V-063.

The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure 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."

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-235.

Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.