A recall of the Tesla Model S related to the the industry-wide recall of Takata airbag inflators has been extended to include 2013 model year cars, Tesla announced.
Passenger airbags in 2012 Model S vehicles were recalled in January 2017.
According to a Safety Update:
As part of the previously determined schedule put in place by NHTSA, 2012 model year cars affected by the recall, including the passenger airbags in 2012 Model S vehicles, were recalled in January 2017, and this was extended to 2013 model year cars in January 2018. Tesla is following the same schedule for replacements globally – even in countries where local regulators have not required a recall. This schedule ensures that customers will have sufficient time to replace recalled airbags before they present a risk to safety, due to the fact that the inflators only become defective based on a number of different factors, including their age. The safety of our customers is paramount and Tesla is taking this action even though there have been no airbag ruptures or other related incidents in any of its vehicles.
Tesla said customers do not need to be concerned about Takata inflators before they receive a recall notice and said recalls are expected to include more model years in the future.
Although the current recall only applies to 2012-2013 Model S vehicles, the passenger airbags of all Model S vehicles produced through late 2016 are expected to eventually be recalled. If you own a Model S produced between 2014 and 2016, your airbags are safe, and you do not need to take any action until you receive further notice from Tesla.
If you own a 2012-2013 Model S vehicle, Tesla will contact you to schedule your replacement service. At this time, there is no immediate action that you need to take.
A defect in Takata airbags has been linked to deaths and injuries worldwide. The company pleaded guilty last year to a wire fraud charge and was ordered to pay $1 billion in fines and restitution for hiding the deadly defect in its air bag inflators for years.
Millions of vehicles in the U.S. from nearly two dozen brands are impacted by the recall.