2022 Tesla Model X Airbags Problems

My 2022 Tesla Model X has two recurring safety-critical defects that remain unresolved despite multiple repair attempts. 1. Airbag / Restraint System Failure (RCM2 / OCS Defect): The vehicle frequently misclassifies the front passenger seat. It shows a passenger when the seat is empty and activates passenger seatbelt warnings incorrectly. Recently the vehicle displayed: “Front passenger safety restraint system issue: Service required (RCM2_a064).” Tesla attempted to repair an electrical harness in the seat, but the problem returned. A Tesla technician documented that the seat may still need a new occupancy sensor. Because this affects the Occupant Classification System and airbag deployment logic, it raises potential FMVSS 208 compliance concerns. 2. FSD / GPS Safety Hazard (5 Unsuccessful Repair Attempts): Across five service visits, Tesla attempted to fix GPS drift and unsafe FSD routing. The vehicle still attempts incorrect turns, performs premature lane changes, and misinterprets intersections. One recent incident involved FSD attempting a left turn one intersection early, nearly causing a collision. Tesla replaced the GPS antenna, recalibrated cameras, and replaced the computer, but the unsafe behavior continues. These two defects—incorrect airbag/OCS behavior and hazardous automated-driving/navigation behavior—create a significant safety risk to occupants and other drivers. Both defects persist after repair attempts. I can provide service records, videos, and documentation upon request.

NHTSA ID

11703661

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

I had my two Teslas parked in the garage. The model X was charging at about 1:30 AM. We heard explosions coming out of the garage. Went to check only to see my model X in flames. We evacuated and called 911 eventually a fire investigation report was made Showing the fire started within the vehicle outward. The battery pack was on fire. We had lithium contamination all over the house and this fire endangered five lives. This incident has been two years ago and until now Tesla refuses to acknowledge the faulty battery and is refusing to do anything about it

NHTSA ID

11700457

Incident

Nov 18, 2023

Got a warning notice on my dashboard that the passenger safety restraint system failed...ie the airbag.

NHTSA ID

11668897

Incident

May 23, 2025

" PASSANGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT" IS THE WARNING MESSAGE POPPING UP ON THE DISPLAY WE NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT SOMETIMES GOES AWAY WHEN MOVING THE PASSANGER SEAT, WE FIRST TOUGHT THAT THIS WAS JUST A PROBLEM THAT WE MAY HAVE CAUSED BUT ONCE DOING REASERACH WE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY ONLINE SCENERIOUS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE "PASSANGER SAFETY REISTRAINT FAULT" WE DISSMISSED THE ISSUE WE TOOK IT TO TESLA SERVICE IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEY MENTIONED THAT SOME WIRE PIN HAD CAME LOOSE WHICH WE THOUGHT WAS ODD SINCE WE HAVE OWNED OVER 20 VEHILES AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER MANUFACTURE. WE WERE CHARGED 300+ DOLLARS FOR THEM TO FIND THEB EXCAT PIN/ WIRE THAT CAME LOOSE. WE ALSO HAVE A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3 STANDER RANGE, WE RECENTLY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THE WARNING LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ON AND GOES AWAY IF WE MOVE THE PASSANGER SEAT. I HAVE COME TO CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT CAN BE A SERIOUS ISSUE IF AIR BAGS ARE NOT PROPERLY WORKING CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSANGERS IN THE VEHICLE I WILL ATTACH THE VIN OF OUR 2020 TESLA MODEL 3 STANDER RANGE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11666337

Incident

Feb 9, 2025

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11662871

Incident

May 7, 2023

On September, 21 2024 I scheduled an appointment with the Tesla Service Center for the “Front Row Curtain Airbag” recall to be performed. October 30th, I took my 2022 Model X Plaid to the Tesla Service Center for the recall work to be performed. During the repair, their service technician BROKE-OFF an anchor nut that secures the airbag to the A-pillar. The advisor said in order to “fix” it they would need to take the car to a body shop to have a “new” anchor nut welded onto the A-pillar. I was told this repair would require cutting open the A-pillar to access the location where the nut should be welded. Cutting the A-pillar will compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle's roof. And retrofitting a new mounting point for the side curtain airbag will compromise the effectiveness of the airbag in the event of an accident. The manufacturer's airbag recall "fix" does not involve cutting open the A-pillar to weld in a new mounting point for the vehicle's airbag. Performing the airbag recall in this manner creates a greater safety issue for my vehicle. Therefore, this "recall repair" should not be allowed to be performed on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11629418

Incident

Oct 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side rear passenger’s seat belt failed to release the child occupying the seat. The contact stated that after five minutes the seat belt was released. The contact then stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, with the front passenger and the driver’s side rear seats occupied, the restraint system fault for each passenger was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the messages appeared intermittently while both seats were unoccupied. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a seat belt module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ID

11590563

Incident

Aug 6, 2022

Mileage

2,000 mi

The car was parked on street and when I go inside the car and try to start car first on my tesla screen show alert 7 error after that couple minutes the front passenger airbag is deployed for nor reason I want to let you know the car it’s not involved any accidents or any impact

NHTSA ID

11574797

Incident

Feb 29, 2024

a safety recall letter regarding the front-row curtain airbags was sent by Tesla on 6/1/2022, but no further action is taken up to this day.

NHTSA ID

11493132

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Car is displaying a warning reading “Rear right safety restraint system fault. Service is required.” Same for the left side. I took the vehicle for service and was told that this is a “Known Characteristic of Current Firmware”. Tesla sent me a message stating that “all the hardware components are OK and the alert is caused by a firmware bug at the moment which will be resolved in a future update”. They did not provide any estimates of when this update will be available. They returned me the car without making any statement on whether it is safe to drive, and whether rear passengers would be safe.

NHTSA ID

11459186

Incident

Mar 28, 2022