Tesla has issued a recall for Model S sedans and Model X SUVs that have had their original steering wheel or yoke replaced because they may have airbags that don’t function properly. Tesla says the recall applies to 159 total customers.
Tesla introduced a new airplane-style yoke instead of a traditional steering wheel to both vehicles on their most recent redesign. The company later brought back the conventional steering wheel as an option. Buyers today can select either steering method and can have either one replaced with the other later for a fee.
But, Tesla tells the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each comes with its own unique airbag. When technicians exchanged a yoke or steering wheel, they may not have installed the correct airbag. “A round steering wheel may have been equipped with a driver airbag variant designed for the yoke steering wheel airbag, and a yoke steering wheel may have been equipped with a driver airbag variant designed for the round steering wheel.”
The wrong airbag may not perform as designed, “which may increase the risk of injury” during a crash.
Tesla says it is not aware of any injuries or deaths related to the problem.
Technicians will install the correct airbag to fix the problem. Recall repairs are always free.
Automakers recall many cars to fix safety defects, sometimes more than once. While automakers try to reach every owner to ask them to bring the vehicle in for repair, they rarely get them all. Millions of cars on American roads need free recall repairs. Check the easy VIN tool at our recall center to determine if your car is one of them.
