2023 Tesla Model Y Seat Belt Problems

36 owners have reported seat belts problems with the 2023 Tesla Model Y to NHTSA — 3% of all 1,185 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 39,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 7 Model Y model years for seat belt complaints (a typical year has 12). 2 related recalls have been issued.

36complaints
39ktypical miles
2related recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    250%
  • 25k–50k
    125%
  • 50k–75k
    00%
  • 75k–100k
    125%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Tesla Model Y owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The car was going at the speed limit or maybe 5-9 miles over speed limit when brakes were pumped to stop car as there was stop and go traffic on a bridge in bay area (CA). The car had quite a distance from the car in front of it. Despite brakes being applied, the car seemed to accelerate and brakes had to be applied hard. However, the car did not stop until it hit the honda in front of it. As the driver of the Telsa at the time of the accident, it seems as though car was accelerating despite brakes being applied. A huge sound was heard by me the driver and then the driver eat belt became malfunctioned and the car would not restart. After a few minutes, the car restarted but now the dash board states service needed and I could no longer fasten the seat belt. The front of the car appeared to have minimal bumper damage but the seat has not worked since the accident.

Aug 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown seat belt message was displayed along with an audible chime while the front driver's side seat belt was securely buckled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the front driver's side seat belt buckle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V376000 (Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,792.

77,000 miles · Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the rear driver's side seat belt failed to latch as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced due to damages caused by sand, dust, and debris. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

13,000 miles · Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the car seat installed, the technician pulled on the seat belt and the rear passenger's side seat belt buckle fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

3,000 miles · Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side seat belt retractor unit detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,581.

39,000 miles · Mar 2026

Vehicle displayed error that service was required for front passenger safety restraint system fault in late September 2024, which persisted for several days. Customer immediately booked first available appointment booked with Tesla service center (3 weeks wait to mid October 2024). At dealership appointment, Tesla service advised it was unable to diagnose any problem because the error code had since cleared from the vehicle computer. Technician refused request for a manual inspection of the vehicle safety system. Technician refused to give paperwork or any form of documentation of the visit, insisting that the problem would be notated in Tesla's "internal service records" should Tesla need to review it at a later date. Subsequently customer received a "Service Appointment Cancelled" email notice from Tesla.

Oct 2024

This concerns the front seat belts in the car. I am just over five feet tall. Even with the seatbelt adjusted to the lowest position on the door post, the anchor point for the shoulder portion is six inches above my shoulder. This occurs on both sides of the vehicle, driver and passenger front seats. The seat belt runs across the left side of my neck when in the driver's seat, with the seat appropriately adjusted for my stature. If I raise the seat any higher I won't be able to reach the accelerator and brake pedals. Anyone who isn't tall would have this problem in the car. I'm concerned for my safety in a possible vehicle crash. I have recently reported this to Tesla Motors. No warning lights or messages are given in the vehicle for this problem.

Nov 2022

since i took delivery of this vehicle on 11/26/2022 ,i had a message displayed on the screen for a faulty passenger seat belt that require a service appointment .i called and requested a service appointment and they gave me one in dec then cancelled it then gave me on in early jan and cancelled it then late jan and they mentioned it due to the lack of parts and i dont feel safe to drive this car with my wife and kids with this faulty seat belt but yet they were pushing me to take delivery and [it seems they were aware of the problem and once i took delivery this message popped up and now i end up with unsafe car that they keep postponing fixing because they don't have the parts just because they want to meet their delivery numbers!!!!

Nov 2022

My vehicle is less than a year old and still under warranty. The dashboard display is showing the following error message: "front passenger safety restraint system fault". Tesla informed me that the occupant classification safety system filter module has failed and must be replaced. Tesla has agreed to fix the component under warranty, but they informed me they could not schedule a repair until October 31. It is my understanding that damage to this component could prevent the airbags from functioning properly during an accident, so I am concerned that the car is not safe to operate with passengers. I have asked Tesla repeatedly if the vehicle is safe to operate and they refuse to answer the question.

Aug 2024

Whenever the temperatures drop below 40 degrees, the driver seat belts stops functioning properly. Have to pull several times before the seat belt strap can pull all the way to be clicked on. Once seat belt is locked in place, while driving the seat belt feels like it could choke me. Once temperatures are normal, the seat belt operates normally. Also, the rear center seat belt intermittently will not lock in place. Have already reported these issues to Tesla and waiting for them to schedule the car for service at their service center.

Jan 2025

Related recalls

Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices

NHTSA recall 24V-376 · May 28, 2024 · 125,233 vehicles

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 23V-130 · Feb 27, 2023 · 3,470 vehicles

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles. The bolts securing the second-row seat back frames may not have been securely tightened.

Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Seat Belt complaints in other Model Y years

2019202020212022202320242025202612272436659
Seat Belt complaints per model year, Tesla Model Y.

Frequently asked questions

How common are seat belt problems on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?

NHTSA has 36 complaints about the seat belts of the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 3% of the model year's 1,185 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2023 Tesla Model Y seat belt problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-376 (warning light/devices, May 28, 2024); NHTSA recall 23V-130 (anchorage, Feb 27, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2023 Tesla Model Y seat belt problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to seat belts problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.