Tesla will issue a software update to fix a problem with its Model X’ airbag

• Published On: 13 June 2017
• 1046 Views

The update won’t require a recall like carmakers do traditionally.

The airbag software on the front passenger side of the Model X has a potential problem and the defect has prompted the company to issue a software update to rectify this. The cars affected are right-hand-drive versions. The company has informed customers not to use the front passenger seat till the update is installed in the car.

Normally, for an issue like this, carmakers conduct a traditional recall, which would require taking your car into a local dealership to have it rectified. In April 2016, around 2,600 Model Xs were recalled for a fault in the rearmost seats of the car. There’s no information, however, on how many models have been affected by the right-hand-drive passenger airbag issue.

The Takata airbag recall has affected Tesla as well, but the two issues are unrelated. This issue does not affect any Model S cars, or left-hand-drive Model Xs. Only cars in markets such as Hong Kong, the UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Macau are affected.

All Tesla owners of affected cars will receive an email detailing what needs to be done, however the over-the-air update will be automatically installed in their cars – they only have to download the update. Tesla has stated that no customer car has had an issue yet, and the recall is precautionary.