Tesla is recalling a small number of 2021-2024 model-year S and 2021-2025 X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad from TRW Steering Wheel Systems de Chihuahua, Mexico may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
“On affected vehicles, a service operator may have installed an airbag with a non-mechanical horn pad in a mechanical steering wheel or an airbag with a mechanical horn pad in a non-mechanical steering wheel, resulting in a loss of horn functionality. Airbag functionality is unaffected,” Tesla said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this moring by the still functioning National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“If a non-mechanical horn pad is installed in a mechanical steering wheel, the horn is non-operational if the horn pad is pressed. If a mechanical horn pad is installed in a non-mechanical steering wheel, the horn is non-operational if the steering wheel switch for horn is pressed,” Tesla said.
Chronology
- On 10 December 2024, while conducting a routine review of driver side airbag service consumption records for service repair rates, Tesla identified instances of incorrect part consumption for driver side airbags.
- From 12 December 2024, through 12 March 2025, Tesla reviewed service records, vehicle configuration, and material records globally related to incorrect part consumption for driver side airbags. Based on the completion of this review, Tesla identified 91 vehicles in which the wrong driver side airbags by horn type may have been consumed into non-compatible steering wheel configurations.
- On 12 March 2025, having completed its investigation, Tesla made a determination to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles.
- As of 19 March 12025, Tesla has identified 4 warranty claims and zero field reports that may be related to the condition. Tesla is not aware of any collisions, fatalities or injuries that are or may be related to the condition.
Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge as required by longstanding U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 20 May 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall25V172 or 25V-172.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Tesla Airbag recalls on Model S and X Vehicles
Tesla is recalling a small number of 2021-2024 model-year S and 2021-2025 X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad from TRW Steering Wheel Systems de Chihuahua, Mexico may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
“On affected vehicles, a service operator may have installed an airbag with a non-mechanical horn pad in a mechanical steering wheel or an airbag with a mechanical horn pad in a non-mechanical steering wheel, resulting in a loss of horn functionality. Airbag functionality is unaffected,” Tesla said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this moring by the still functioning National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“If a non-mechanical horn pad is installed in a mechanical steering wheel, the horn is non-operational if the horn pad is pressed. If a mechanical horn pad is installed in a non-mechanical steering wheel, the horn is non-operational if the steering wheel switch for horn is pressed,” Tesla said.
Chronology
Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge as required by longstanding U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 20 May 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall25V172 or 25V-172.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.