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NHTSA recall,

Tesla Model 3 (2024) and Tesla Model Y (2026)

Tesla Model Y and Model 3 vehicles may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Summary by Recall Canary from the NHTSA notice

What happened

Tesla, Inc. is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles because they were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures.

As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards." The recall affects 15 vehicles nationwide.

The issue was reported to NHTSA on July 7, 2026. Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026.

More air bag defect recalls

What to do

If you own a vehicle in this recall:

  1. Check your VIN (vehicle identification number) at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  2. Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge.
  3. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. You may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com.
  4. Watch your mail. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026.

What you get Refund

Full text from NHTSA

Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.

Is your Tesla affected?

2 models

These models and years may be affected.

  • Model 3, model years 2024
  • Model Y, model years 2026

Your VIN confirms it. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver's side of the dashboard or on your registration card.

Check your VIN on nhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recall details

Reported to NHTSA
Sold in
Nationwide
Manufacturer
Tesla, Inc.
Component
Air bag defect
Campaign
26V445000
Vehicles affected
15
Repair cost
Free of charge
Owner letters expected
Manufacturer's recall number
SB-26-00-004
Manufacturer phone
1-877-798-3752

All recalls from Tesla, Inc.

Timeline

  1. Reported to NHTSA

  2. Listed on Recall Canary

  3. Summary updated

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Summary by Recall Canary, written with AI · summary updated Oct 2, 2026 · primary source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (opens in a new tab)