Tesla Recalls Model S and X Vehicles Due to Incorrect Driver Airbag Variant

As you might have already imagined, certain customers who ordered cars with the yoke eventually switched back to the steering wheel. The opposite is valid as well. Therein lies the problem, though. Back on October 9, the folks at Tesla Service Europe informed the mothership in America about 12 instances in which steering wheels were retrofitted with yokes without recorded consumptions of the driver airbag variant designed for the yoke wheel.

Two days later, an engineering study was initiated to inspect all 12 vehicles retrofitted with the rectangular wheel. Come October 16, said engineering study was expanded to include 10 vehicles produced for the United States market. Tesla was able to inspect three of the 22 suspect vehicles, determining that one of them had received the driver airbag variant designed for the steering wheel.

The Palo Alto-based EV manufacturer couldn't rule out an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, which is why the safety boffins at Tesla decided to recall a handful of vehicles with retrofitted yokes. According to the report attached below, 159 vehicles are recalled in the United States. Of those, 30 percent are believed to feature the incorrect driver airbag variant. 2021 to 2023 model year Model S and Model X vehicles are recalled (vehicles produced between February 2021 and September 2023).

Rather than blaming the customers in question, Tesla has only itself to blame for this blunder. As a result, the service procedure was updated on October 27, 2023 with a confirmation step. Service centers have already been instructed to inspect and – if necessary – replace the airbag. There will be no charge for this service, with customers to be informed by first-class mail no later than January 2.

Tesla isn't aware of any injuries or worse relating to said concern. Owners can fire up the NHTSA's website and run the vehicle identification number to determine whether their sedans/crossovers are included in this safety recall or not.

At press time, the Model S comes in two flavors stateside: Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive at $74,990 or Plaid at $89,990. The tri-motor version fares worse in terms of EPA-rated driving range, although that's only normal given the advertised 1,020 horsepower generated by said motors. As expected, the yoke retails at $1K for the Plaid as well.

The heavier Model X is understandably pricier. Tesla's online configurator lists $79,990 and $94,990 before potential savings such as the $7,500 federal tax credit. Available with five, six, or seven seats, the Model X comes in the same five exterior colors and three interior themes as the Model S. The Model X further sweetens the deal with the standard Tow Package, which enables a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms).

348 miles (that would be 560 kilometers) is the maximum you can expect from the Model X Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive, a rather impressive estimate for such a heavy vehicle. The more aerodynamic Model S Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive improves to 405 miles (652 kilometers).