Tesla has recalled 91 Model S sedans and Model X SUVs from model years 2021-2025 because their horns don’t work. All of the recalled models have had a repair involving their driver’s side airbags.
Unlike other automakers, Tesla routinely changes parts and suppliers during a car’s production run. Two Teslas built a week apart can look identical but have different internal parts.
In this case, Tesla says, its airbag unit also contains the car’s horn. Tesla has used at least two different airbag units and horn pads (the part of the steering wheel you press to activate the horn). Service technicians repairing airbags may have inadvertently replaced some horn pads with a model incompatible with the airbag unit beneath, leaving a pad that can’t activate the horn.
The fix is as simple as you imagine: Tesla will inspect to ensure the horn pad and airbag unit match. If they don’t, they’ll replace them with parts that do.
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 vehicles on American roads need free recall repairs. Check the easy VIN tool at our recall center to find out if your car is one of them.