Tesla MODEL Y 2025+ - Types of Airbags

Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, side collisions and when braking heavily or
driving over bumps and potholes. Likewise, front airbags may not inflate in all frontal collisions, such as minor front collisions,
underride collisions, or minor impacts with narrow objects (such as posts or poles). Significant superficial damage can occur
to the vehicle without the airbags inflating and, conversely, a relatively small amount of structural damage can cause airbags to
inflate. Therefore, the external appearance of the vehicle after a collision does not represent whether or not the front airbags
should have inflated.
WARNING:
Before modifying your vehicle to accommodate a person with disabilities in a way that may affect the airbag
system, use the mobile app to schedule a Service appointment.
Types of Airbags
Model Y has the following types of airbags:
•
Front airbags: The front airbags are designed to reduce injuries if larger children or adults are riding in the front seats.
Follow all warnings and instructions related to seating a child on the front passenger seat (if permitted in your market
region).
•
Seat-mounted side airbags: A seat-mounted side airbag in the front seats helps protect the pelvis and the thorax region of
the torso; the seat-mounted far side airbag in the inside portion of the driver’s seat helps protect the head and torso. The
seat-mounted side airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle will inflate in the event of severe
side impact or severe offset frontal impact.
• Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the head. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the
vehicle will inflate only if a severe side impact or severe offset frontal impact occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over.
Airbag Status Indicator
The status of the passenger front airbag displays in the top corner of the touchscreen:
Before driving with a child seated on the front passenger seat (if legally permitted in your market region),
always double-check the status of the passenger front airbag to confirm that it is OFF. When the passenger
front airbag is OFF, it will not inflate when a collision occurs. This indicator also displays when the seat is
unoccupied.
To protect an adult occupying the front passenger seat, ensure the passenger front airbag is ON. When the
passenger front airbag is ON, it may inflate when a collision occurs.
WARNING: If seating a child in the front passenger seat is legally permissible in your market region, it is the driver's
responsibility to ensure that the passenger front airbag is OFF. Toggle the airbag switch OFF before placing a child seat
in the front passenger seat. Never seat a child in the front passenger seat with an active airbag, even if using a child
restraint system or booster seat. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the child can occur.
Controlling the Passenger Front Airbag
When a child is seated in the front passenger seat (even
when the child is seated in a child restraint system or booster
seat), you must disable the passenger front airbag to prevent
it from injuring the child if a collision occurs. First ensure the
vehicle is in Park. Then touch Controls > Safety > Passenger
Front Airbag, and before driving, ensure the passenger airbag
status on the top of the touchscreen indicates that the airbag
is off (see
Airbag Status Indicator on page 53).
NOTE: Model Y has a capacitive touchscreen and may not
respond to your touch if you are wearing standard gloves. If
the touchscreen is not responding, remove gloves or wear
gloves with conductive fingertips for use with capacitive
touchscreens.
WARNING: If seating a child in the front passenger seat
is legally permissible in your market region, never seat
a child in a child restraint system or a booster seat on
the front passenger seat when the airbag is active.
Doing so can cause serious injury or death.
WARNING: If the passenger front airbag does not
appear to be functioning (for example, if the airbag is
on, even if you have turned it off, or vice versa), do not
seat a passenger in the front seat. Use the mobile app
to schedule a Service appointment immediately.
Airbags
53Storage Areas