Tesla recalls Model 3 vehicles in Europe

Tesla has initiated a recall of over 131,000 Model 3 Premium vehicles assembled in Shanghai due to a problem with the central front airbag. The issue was identified after a failed airbag test in Europe, leading to the recall affecting vehicles sold in the European Union, the Middle East, and South Korea.

Recall details and affected models

The affected vehicles are Model 3 Premium versions with left-hand drive produced between June 30, 2024, and May 8, 2026, at Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai. This factory is a major supplier of Model 3 vehicles to the European market. The recall is identified by several reference numbers across different databases.

Vehicle distribution across Europe

Germany and the Netherlands have the highest numbers of affected vehicles, with 12,680 and 10,787 respectively. Official records indicate a total of 131,726 vehicles affected, though some documents suggest a slightly lower figure of 114,473 for a specific regulatory submission.

Airbag defect and testing standards

The defect involves the far-side airbag, a central front airbag designed to prevent lateral movement during a crash. During a specific test, a pole strikes the driver’s door at 32 km/h, and the force on the test dummy’s shoulder exceeded the 3.0 kilonewton limit set by the UN R135 regulation.

Tesla’s software fix and recall process

Tesla plans to fix the issue with a free software update that adjusts the airbag’s deployment strategy. This update will be delivered remotely via over-the-air (OTA) updates starting from version 2026.26.100.2. Drivers can check their vehicle’s status using Tesla’s recall search tool or by reviewing the software version in the car’s menu.