Tesla Model S Recall R/2019/006: The Propellant In The Front Passenger Airbag Inflator May Degrade Over Time, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 11 Jan 2019
- Launched
- 4,973
- vehicles in the UK
- SB-19-20-001
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Tesla recalled Model S vehicles built between 6 March 2014 and 7 December 2016. The front passenger airbag inflator could rupture in the event the airbag is deployed. The dealer will replace the front passenger air bag on affected vehicles. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The front passenger airbag inflator could rupture in the event the airbag is deployed.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: THE PROPELLANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME Defect: The front passenger airbag inflator could rupture in the event the airbag is deployed. Remedy: Replace the front passenger air bag on affected vehicles.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: the propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator may degrade over time.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the front passenger air bag on affected vehicles.
Are You Affected?
Model S built between 6 March 2014 and 7 December 2016 may be included. Tesla estimates 4,973 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Tesla, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Tesla.
- Book with any franchised Tesla dealer, quoting the campaign code SB-19-20-001 or the DVSA reference R/2019/006. See how to get a Tesla recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model S, Model XUpdate vehicle firmware to restore Post-Crash eCall functionality | Book soon | R/2025/075 | |
| Model SMisalignment of the hood latch may prevent latching of the secondary latch | Book soon | R/2022/009 | |
| Model S, Model XWhen the emmc reaches accumulated lifetime wear the customer may experience a blank centre display | Low | R/2021/031 | |
| Model SLoss of power steering assistance | Urgent | R/2018/093 | |
| Model SPassenger airbag may not deploy as intended | Urgent | R/2018/057 |
This is one of 26 Tesla recalls in DVSA’s data. The Tesla recall launched before it was R/2018/093 on 30 Mar 2018, for loss of power steering assistance. The one launched after it was R/2020/130 on 7 May 2020, for the upper steering column bolt may not have been fitted. You can also see every Tesla recall, the Tesla Model S recall history, all recalls launched in 2019 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2019/006, launched 11 January 2019. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.