2019 Tesla Model 3 Electrical Problems

The Front Passenger Safety Restraint System failed prematurely on my 2019 Tesla Model 3 at only 23,105 miles, triggering the alert 'Alerts - Seats - Front passenger safety restraint system issue/Service is required' and disabling passenger airbag functionality. Upon inspection, Tesla Service quoted $1,285.13 out-of-pocket to repair the system. While the root failure involves a $12 occupant occupancy sensor (Part #1099592-00-F), Tesla's mandatory service procedures require a full subsystem revision cascade to fix it. Specifically, under 'Replace Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat while Servicing Subcomponents' and 'Update Front Passenger Airbag to Maintain Compatibility with Front Passenger Seat,' Tesla requires replacing the right-hand seat harness assembly (Part #1489060-03-G) and the complete Front Passenger Airbag (Part #1077823-00-G) solely to maintain hardware compatibility with the revised sensor. Because Tesla redesigned subcomponent hardware without offering a backwards-compatible replacement sensor for earlier Model 3 production units, restoring a critical primary safety system creates an exorbitant financial barrier, forcing the vehicle to be operated with disabled airbags.

NHTSA ID

11753364

Incident

Jul 28, 2026

I was locked inside my tesla model 3 two stories down in a parking garage with no internet access to find out where the emergency release was for my door. I KICKED my driver side window to survive. It wasn't until after I was told that the doors are tied to a 12v battery that had died without warning. I did not know the doors tied to that nor that there was a secret emergency release. There are no clear indicators within the car that this is how it operates and you SHOULDN'T NEED INTERNET ACCESS AND ELECTRICITY TO SURVIVE EXITING A CAR.

NHTSA ID

11752169

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

I am getting an electrical fault which has disabled my front passenger seat airbags. They need to replace the wiring, which means they also now need to replace the passenger airbag itself because wiring has changed and the old airbag is not compatible with the new wiring. Replace Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat while Servicing Subcomponents Update Front Passenger Airbag to Maintain Compatibility with Front Passenger Seat I had this same error 4 months ago and it ended up shorting out the entire electrical system, which disabled autosteer and eventually completely disabled power steering which made the car unusable. Tesla service center called it a water intrusion problem and had to replace the entire front electrical harness system and steering rack costing $4500. Now the problem has resurfaced and I'm afraid I might lose power steering again which is extremely dangerous and could happen any time, in addition to my airbags potentially not deploying.

NHTSA ID

11749648

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

My vehicle has developed a rapidly worsening battery performance issue. It loses range far faster than expected, shows inconsistent energy usage, and experiences sudden drops in projected mileage even during normal driving. Charging behavior is irregular, and the vehicle’s energy regeneration is inconsistent. There was no crash, fire, or damage. Based on the symptoms, this appears to be a potential battery or propulsion system defect. The issue continues to worsen and affects the safe and reliable operation of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11702593

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the indicator, self-driving feature, and music sounds were inaudible. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11699217

Incident

Nov 11, 2025

Mileage

111,000 mi

Tesla remotely disabled Supercharging access on my vehicle without any warning, safety errors, or mechanical problems. The vehicle charged normally for months, including recent Supercharging sessions, and still operates safely. Tesla stated Supercharging was disabled due to a “salvage” title and now demands a $1,900-$2,400 “inspection” to restore access, with no diagnostic evidence of any issue. This appears to be a remote software lockout of a critical charging feature without a safety justification. It limits safe operation and access to public charging infrastructure. I request NHTSA investigate this policy as an unfair and potentially unsafe manufacturer action.

NHTSA ID

11698332

Incident

Nov 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that his wife was driving approximately 30-40 MPH at night with Full Self-Driving(FSD) mode engaged. The contact stated that the driver was exiting the highway to merge onto another highway that would close intermittently. The contact stated that the driver briefly looked at the navigation screen, and the vehicle suddenly crashed into the first highway closure gate, and the windshield shattered. The vehicle then crashed into a second highway closure gate. The contact stated that the Full Self-Driving(FSD) mode failed to operate as needed to prevent the collisions. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway, and there was no oncoming traffic. The contact's daughter was occupying the front passenger's side seat during the incident. The driver called 911, and the police officers arrived at the scene. A police report was filed, but the police report number was not available. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was under evaluation. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Numbers: PE25012(Electrical System) and PE24031(Electrical System). The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer via phone, but the manufacturer was unreachable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,725.

NHTSA ID

11692414

Incident

Oct 3, 2025

Mileage

111,725 mi

Safety restraint defect

NHTSA ID

11691989

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11686345

Incident

Aug 9, 2025

Front left safety restraint. Airbags won’t deploy due to this issue.

NHTSA ID

11686179

Incident

Sep 10, 2025

There is an error with my car's Occupant Classification System (OCS) which is giving me an alarm of "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault". Tesla only "fix" is to replace the OCS with what seems to be a newer version. You can tell it is a new version because they are also telling me I need to replace my airbag as my current airbag is not compatible with the new OCS.

NHTSA ID

11682155

Incident

Aug 21, 2025

I am reaching out to report a high voltage isolation issue with my 2019 Tesla Model 3. Tesla determined the issue was caused by external factors such as grime and road salt corroding the battery seals, leading to an internal isolation fault with the high voltage battery. They deemed it out of warranty, with an estimated repair cost of $13,155.30. When I asked what preventative maintenance could have avoided this, Tesla only referred me to the owner’s manual, which simply instructs users to clean the car’s exterior. No specific maintenance regarding battery seal inspection or corrosion prevention was provided. Records from our local car wash subscription show the car has been washed regularly (at least 66 times since January 2024). The previous owner also had brake lines replaced due to corrosion under warranty, during which Tesla removed the battery in March 2023. In October 2024, the rear drive unit was replaced under warranty, yet no mention was made of battery seal corrosion during any of these service visits. At no point has Tesla’s maintenance guidance or service process addressed checking the seals for corrosion in regions where road salt is heavily used. I believe this omission creates a potential safety concern, as seal corrosion in a high voltage battery could lead to failures or hazards without prior warning. The Vermont AG Consumer Assistance Program recommended I contact your office for further assistance. This issue appears to be part of a broader pattern where Tesla attributes failures to “environmental factors” without advising owners of any specific preventative maintenance, effectively avoiding warranty responsibility while leaving potential safety issues unaddressed.

NHTSA ID

11680567

Incident

Jul 14, 2025

My vehicle displays a persistent warning: “Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault.” A technician told me this fault relates to the driver seat sensor and is the same defect addressed by a previous NHTSA recall. However, I’ve confirmed that my VIN was not included in that recall. Despite the recall fix being implemented for some vehicles, my car still has this safety restraint fault with no resolution offered. This ongoing problem concerns me because it affects the proper functioning of the vehicle’s safety system, and I fear that my vehicle’s defect remains unaddressed. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue, as it appears the recall did not cover all affected vehicles and that Tesla’s recall scope may be insufficient.

NHTSA ID

11680257

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

passenger safety restraint system light came on, Tesla says to fix needs to install OCS filter module and replace existing OCS sensor because its not compatible with existing OCS sensor...cost is $806....there are no broken parts in my car. according to Teslas service bulletin Sep 21, 2020 this problem is caused by electrical interference in the seat harness causing the airbag restrain system message on screen due to faulty design.....Tesla says i need to pay for it because car is out of warranty, i say its a faulty design and they have to fix free. this should be a recall because Tesla is aware of many of same problems that make the airbag inoperable. from the bulletin "On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat harness, causing the airbag indicator to display on the touchscreen." Tesla has been aware of the problem for 4 years at least.

NHTSA ID

11640752

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

The airbag and seat belt system on the driver's side is faulty, which may result in an unsuccessful deployment of the airbag should I get into an accident. This is an immediate safety concern, yet Tesla would like to charge me over $400 to remedy the situation. That's why I'm reporting this as a safety recall so that no other owner/ leasee faces this risk or financial burden.

NHTSA ID

11634054

Incident

Dec 29, 2024

I’m at the Tesla service center and Tesla is refusing to perform recall work without payment/diagnostic time. Even though Tesla’s website and notices states that they will perform recall work free of charge they are in fact refusing to perform recall work free of charge. They are mandating that I be charged diagnostic fees for them to determine whether they will perform the recall work as of 11/13 at 7:15am per Marc the service advisor at Tesla Service Center Kearny Mesa.

NHTSA ID

11624922

Incident

Nov 13, 2024

steering rack failed due to water intrusion connector integrity failed

NHTSA ID

11617999

Incident

Sep 15, 2024

There is a common warning message on Tesla Model 3 and Y that states “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault” I just received it on mine. Tesla service advised that the passenger airbag and safety system may not function in the event of a crash. I searched online and can see in forums that many people receive this warning. Tesla also confirmed that if someone receives this message while driving and then they get into an accident during that same drive, the airbag may not work. This is a HUGE safety issue, and Tesla should be held accountable.

NHTSA ID

11615779

Incident

Sep 21, 2024

Safety features on my car are currently unavailable. I called the dealership and was told it was due to a defected sensor in the back windshield. And I would have to pay to replace the entire windshield. Even tho the sensor is defective.

NHTSA ID

11607807

Incident

Jul 18, 2024

Safety issue: Got a "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault" (code RCM_a056) out of a sudden. Apparently, the passenger's occupied-seat sensor is not communicating with the system, leading to potential hazard in airbag deployment scenario. Upon reaching out to the Tesla Service Center, got a quote for $1600, which includes a replacement not only of the passenger's seat sensor, but there's also a need to replace the airbag - to maintain compatibility with the new sensor. Upon additional research, I've discovered that this is not merely wear and tear; some owners reported that this error appears on brand new cars. In short, Tesla is requiring customers to pay $1600 to cover a design failure that could result in a safety / injury. The company should be held liable to its errors, not customers.

NHTSA ID

11607774

Incident

Aug 6, 2024

An error has displayed on the screen stating: "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault RCM_a056 Service is Required" and reaching out to the local Tesla service center, I discovered the prescribed repair costs $1600. After searching online for other owner's experience with the error, I discovered that this is a common issue caused by a wire connection to the seat control model coming loose due to a poorly tensioned connector. Those other owners have reported that Tesla knows about this issue in their manufacturing and is refusing to fix the issue or issue a recall even though it is a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11606031

Incident

Jun 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while charging the vehicle at a supercharging station, the vehicle shut off once the battery charge reached 250 miles. The contact attempted to move the vehicle to another charging station, and the vehicle failed to shift to drive(D). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center where the contact was informed that the pyro fuse used to regulate the battery voltage had failed to operate as needed. The contact was also informed that the pyro fuse inside the vehicle was an aftermarket part; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11603393

Incident

Jun 24, 2024

Mileage

85,000 mi

I was driving my Model 3 when this alert occurred: ALERTS DRIVABILITY - VEHICLE MAY NOT RESTART/SERVICE IS REQUIRED ADDITIONALLY THE SCREEN STATED PULL OVER THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SAFELY. I was in the middle of the road driving so it became dangerous. I could not steer the vehicle and the brakes were barely working. I could not immediately stop because I was in the middle of traffic. I pulled right over as soon as I could and shut down the vehicle. I believe this is a defect. When I spoke to Tesla repair personnel I was told they know about this and it is happening when the Model 3 reaches 40K. How can they not address this - why would someone wait until someone is in a serious accident? I called to set up an appointment for this emergency and was told I cannot get an appointment for 1 month and I should not drive my car. When an electric vehicle just shuts down you cannot control the vehicle - this is very very dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11593448

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

Received a system fault for seat belt SRS airbag safety restraint system for front left passenger. code RCM_a021_pretenLapFrontLeft Causes the pretensioner and restraint system to not function as designed. Has not been in an accident and verified problem was persistent with hard system reset and software update. Did not do modification or touch the seat belt components at all during ownership period. Worried that the pretensioner and SRS airbags will not go off if involved in a crash. First appeared last year intermittently and then starting June 1st, 2024 The airbag lamp is on inside the warning panel of screen.

NHTSA ID

11592477

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

The car has a feature which adjust the seats for easy entry and for a driver based on driver profile. This results in the drivers seat to automatically adjust per profile. It seems overtime this damages a cable or connection under the seat, resulting in a fault in the sensor which recognizes a driver being present in the seat in case of emergency, ie determines if it should deploy airbag. Right now our car is showing this error and it’s only present when the seat adjust for my partner who is a shorter driver. Tesla has stated previously that this would be around $250 to repair, could only do it in person at the repair center. Online I’ve seen reports of onsite techs making the repair in less that 5 minutes with no or minimal charge for a replacement sensor or cable.

NHTSA ID

11590177

Incident

May 1, 2024