Airbags

Location of Airbags

Airbags are located in the approximate areas shown below. Airbag warning information is printed on the sun visors.

Model S is equipped with an airbag and lap/shoulder belt (also called seat belt assembly) at both designated front seating positions. The airbag is a supplemental restraint at those seating positions. All occupants, including the driver, should always wear their seat belts whether or not an airbag is also provided at their seating position to minimize the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a crash.

The location of all airbags inside the vehicle

Passenger knee airbag
Passenger front airbag
Seat-mounted side airbags
Curtain airbags
Driver knee airbag
Driver front airbag

How Airbags Work

Airbags inflate when sensors detect an impact that exceeds deployment thresholds. These thresholds are designed to predict the severity of a crash in time for the airbags to help protect the vehicle's occupants. Airbags inflate instantly with considerable force accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated bag, together with the seat belts, limits movement of occupants to reduce the risk of injury.

Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, side collisions and when braking heavily or driving over bumps and potholes. Likewise, front airbags may not inflate in all frontal collisions, such as minor front collisions, underride collisions, or minor impacts with narrow objects (such as posts or poles). Significant superficial damage can occur to the vehicle without the airbags inflating and, conversely, a relatively small amount of structural damage can cause airbags to inflate. Therefore, the external appearance of the vehicle after a collision does not represent whether or not the front airbags should have inflated.

Warning

Before modifying your vehicle to accommodate a person with disabilities in a way that may affect the airbag system, use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment.

Types of Airbags

Model S has the following types of airbags:

Front airbags: The front airbags are designed to reduce injuries if larger children or adults are riding in the front seats. Follow all warnings and instructions related to seating a child on the front passenger seat (if permitted in your market region).
Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the front airbags work together. The knee airbags limit the forward motion of the front seat occupants by restricting leg movement, thereby positioning the occupants so that the front airbags work more effectively.
Seat-mounted airbags: A seat-mounted side airbag in the front seats helps protect the pelvis and the thorax region of the torso. The seat-mounted airbag on the inside portion of the driver's seat helps protect the head and torso. Seat-mounted airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle inflate in the event of a severe side impact or a severe offset frontal impact.
Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the head. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle inflate only if a severe side impact occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over.

Airbag Status Indicator

The status of the passenger front airbag displays on the touchscreen:

Airbag and passenger symbols with text: Passenger airbag off

The Passenger Airbag Off indicator displays on the touchscreen when the passenger front airbag is OFF. When the passenger front airbag is OFF, it does not inflate when a collision occurs. This indicator also displays when the seat is unoccupied. When driving with a child seat on the front passenger seat (if permitted in your market region), always double-check the status of the passenger front airbag to confirm that it is OFF.

Note

In cars manufactured prior to approximately December 2019, the Passenger Airbag Off indicator does not display when the seat is unoccupied.

A child safety seat icon with a circle-backslash symbol and text: Passenger airbag on

To protect an adult occupying the front passenger seat, ensure the passenger front airbag is ON. When the passenger airbag is ON, it may inflate when a collision occurs.

A red circle depicting an airbag and an icon of a passenger with a seat belt on

The airbag indicator on the instrument cluster remains lit if the airbag system is malfunctioning. The only time this indicator should illuminate is briefly when Model S first powers up, in which case it turns off within a few seconds. If it remains illuminated, use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment immediately and do not drive.

Front Passenger Occupant Detection

Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the front airbag.

Note

The occupancy classification system (OCS) meets the regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and automatically detects when inflating the passenger front airbag would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.

Warning

Seating an infant in a rear facing child restraint system on a seat equipped with an operational airbag can cause serious injury or death.


Object Classification	Status of Airbag Indicator*	Indicator	Notes
Empty	OFF	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF	In cars manufactured prior to approximately December 2019, the Passenger Airbag Off indicator does not display when the seat is unoccupied.
Object	OFF or ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON	Depends on material/contents.
Rear facing child seat designed for children up to a year old	OFF	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF	20 lbs (9 kg) or less
Forward facing child seat	OFF	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF	35 lbs (16 kg) or less
Child in a booster seat	OFF or ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON	20-100 lbs (9-45 kg)*
Large child	OFF or ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
5th percentile female or larger (by weight)	ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG ON	Over approximately 100 lbs (45 kg)
*If the passenger airbag status indicator does not match the situation, do not use the seat. The passenger must ride in a different seat. Use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment.

Note

It takes approximately six seconds after you power on Model S for the occupant classification system (OCS) to report accurate status of the front passenger airbag. As a result, when you first power on Model S, even in situations when it should be OFF because the seat is occupied by a weight of 20 lbs (9 kg) or less, a delay of approximately six seconds can occur before the touchscreen displays the PASS AIRBAG OFF status. If it fails to do so, use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment and do not seat a child in the front passenger seating position.

To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate the following:

Objects lodged under the seat.
Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).
Objects wedged between the seat back and seat cushion.
Cargo interfering with the seat.
Aftermarket items attached to, or sitting on or between, the seat and occupant including but not limited to covers, mats, blankets, etc.

These conditions can interfere with the occupancy sensor. If you have eliminated the above possibilities, and the airbag status is still incorrect, ask passengers to ride in the rear seats and use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment to have the airbag system checked.

Note

The front passenger occupancy sensor affects the operation of the passenger front airbags only. The side airbags are not affected.

Warning

If the front passenger airbag is not turning on or off as expected based on the weight thresholds previously described, use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment immediately.

Warning

It is the driver's responsibility to confirm that the passenger front airbag is OFF when a child is seated in the front passenger seat. If the passenger front airbag fails to disable with a child seat in position, place the child and child restraint system in the rear seat and use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment immediately.

Warning

Never seat a child in the front passenger seat. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the child can occur. Per recommendations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all occupants age 12 and under must ride in the rear seats.

Warning

Do not use seat covers on Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side airbags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant detection system, if equipped.

Ensuring Accurate Occupant Detection

To help ensure an occupant in the front passenger seat can be accurately detected, the passenger must:

Wear a seat belt.
Sit upright on the center of the seat cushion, with shoulders resting against the seat back and legs extended comfortably in front with feet on the floor. See Examples of Correct and Incorrect Seating Positions.
Remain positioned on the seat cushion and not lift their weight off the seat (for example, by pushing their feet against the floor or pressing on the center console or armrest to lift up).
Never wear thick, wet, or bulky clothing (such as ski wear or padded clothing).

In addition to the items listed above, the following situations can interfere with the accuracy of the occupant classification system:

Placing a radio transmitter (for example, a hunting radio or walkie-talkie) on the front passenger seat.
Placing an AC/DC inverter, or a device that is being powered by the inverter (for example, a cell phone, tablet, or computer) on the front passenger seat cushion.
Placing liquid (such as a bottled drink) or food containers on a car seat when a child seat is present.
Objects lodged under the seat or wedged between the seat back and cushion.
Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).
Cargo interfering with the seat.
Aftermarket items attached to or placed between the seat and the occupant, such as covers, mats, blankets, etc.

These conditions can interfere with the occupancy sensor. If you have eliminated the above possibilities, and the airbag status is still incorrect, instruct passengers to ride in the rear seats and use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment to have the airbag system checked.

Note

The front passenger occupancy sensor affects the operation of the passenger front and side airbags.

Warning

Tesla follows NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommendations that all occupants age 12 and under be seated in a rear seat.

Warning

Failure to follow the above instructions can adversely affect the Occupant Classification System (OCS) which can cause serious injury or death.

Warning

If the front passenger airbag is not turning on or off as expected, do not seat a passenger in the front passenger seat. Use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment.

Warning

To ensure accuracy of the occupant detection system, do not make any modifications to the front passenger seat and do not use seat covers. Modifying the seat, or using seat covers, can restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side airbags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant classification system.

Examples of Correct and Incorrect Seating Positions

Correct seating position:

Person sitting in car seat correctly: shoulder and back against the seat, feet on the floor, seat belt on

Incorrect seating position - the passenger's feet must be on the floor:

Person sitting in car seat incorrectly with feet on the dash

Incorrect seating position - the passenger must not slide forward on the seat cushion:

Person sitting in car seat incorrectly with hips at the front of the seat cushion

Incorrect seating position - the passenger must not recline the backrest to a laying down position when the vehicle is moving:

Person sitting in a car seat incorrectly with the backrest in a laying down position

Inflation Effects

Warning

When airbags inflate, a fine powder is released. This powder can irritate the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from the eyes and from any cuts or abrasions.

After inflation, the airbags deflate to provide a gradual cushioning effect for the occupants and to ensure the driver’s forward vision is not obscured.

If airbags have inflated, or if your vehicle has been in a collision, always have the airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated components checked and, if necessary, replaced by Tesla.

In a collision, in addition to the airbags inflating:

United States only: Your vehicle automatically dials 911 if Controls > Safety > Automatic 911 calls is enabled. Cancellation instructions as well as a countdown timer display on the touchscreen.
Doors unlock, and the door handles extend.
Hazard warning lights turn on.
Interior lights turn on.
High voltage is disabled (you must use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment to restore high voltage power).
Windows go to the vent position.
Vehicle applies the brakes to come to a stop.

Note

Depending on the nature of the impact and the forces involved, doors may not unlock in a collision and/or damage may prevent them from opening. In such cases, the door may need to be opened using the interior manual release, or other means of extrication (for example, exiting through another door, breaking the window, etc.).

Airbag Warnings

Warning

Do not place objects over or near airbags because any such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a crash severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.

Warning

All occupants, including the driver, should always wear their seat belts, whether or not an airbag is also provided at their seating position, to minimize the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a collision.

Warning

Front seat occupants should not place their arms over the airbag module, as an inflating airbag can cause fractures or other injuries.

Warning

Do not use seat covers on Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side airbags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant detection system, if equipped.

Warning

Airbags inflate with considerable speed and force, which can cause injury. To limit injuries, ensure that occupants are wearing seat belts and are correctly seated, with the seat positioned as far back as possible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance of 10 inches (25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and an airbag.

Warning

Children should not be seated on the front passenger seat unless permitted by regulations in your market region. Follow all regulations in your region for the appropriate way to seat a child based on the child's weight, size, and age. The safest place to seat infants and young children is in a rear seating position. Seating an infant or child in a rear-facing child restraint system on a seat equipped with an operational airbag can cause serious injury or death.

Warning

To ensure correct inflation of the side airbags, maintain an unobstructed gap between an occupant’s torso and the side of Model S.

Warning

Passengers shouldn't lean their heads against doors. Doing so can cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates.

Warning

Do not allow passengers to obstruct the operation of an airbag by placing feet, knees or any other part of the body on or near an airbag.

Warning

Do not attach or place objects on or near the front airbags, the side of the front seats, the headliner at the side of the vehicle, or any other airbag cover that could interfere with inflation of an airbag. These include but are not limited to: steering wheel covers, decals, seat cushions, pillows, etc. Objects can cause serious injury if the vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.

Warning

Following inflation, some airbag components are hot. Do not touch until they have cooled.