Tesla is recalling over 14,000 Model S vehicles exported to China due to Takata airbag issue

Tesla is starting to recall over 14,000 Model S vehicles exported to China as part of the worldwide Takata airbag issue.

Takata’s faulty airbag inflators resulted in the largest automotive recall in U.S. history and it got even bigger over the last few years when they added 40 million more airbags, including some installed in Tesla vehicles. The recall affects over 40 million vehicles and it is one of the most complex ever undertaken.

For Tesla, it involves all Model S vehicles produced between 2012 and 2016.

Technically, Tesla is only required to replace the airbags in cars located in regions designated as “high humidity”, but the automaker decided to not take any chance and recall all of them – starting with the ones delivered in 2012.

The problem becomes more significant over time so Tesla is starting with older vehicles, but there are so many of them that it is gradually addressing the issue.

Tesla started replacing passenger airbags in all 2012 Model S sedans back in 2017 and now it’s China’s turn.

Today, the Chinese government announced that Tesla officially filed for the recall of the Model S in China (translated from Chinese):

“The co-pilot airbag of the vehicle within this recall range is equipped with an ammonium nitrate gas generator without a desiccant produced by Takada. When the co-pilot airbag is deployed, the gas generator may be abnormally damaged, causing the debris to fly out and injuring people inside of the vehicle, posing a safety hazard. Tesla Motors (Beijing) Co., Ltd. will replace the improved co-pilot airbags for vehicles within the scope of the recall to eliminate safety hazards.”

They said that it is affecting 14,123 vehicles produced during the period from February 4, 2014 to December 9, 2016.

Owners should be contacted via mail with the official information.