Seat Belt complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am reporting multiple safety-related failures with my Tesla Model Y, purchased December 18, 2025. Within four months of ownership, the vehicle has experienced escalating issues: On April 19, 2026, while driving approximately 70 mph on a freeway in heavy rain, the vehicle suddenly lost power and decelerated to approximately 20 mph. Multiple safety systems became unavailable simultaneously, including automatic emergency braking, traction control, stability control, and vehicle hold. I was able to pull to the side of the road, but the vehicle would not restart and required towing. This created a dangerous situation and significantly compromised my ability to safely control the vehicle. On April 9, 2026, a rear seatbelt unlatched under braking while in use. This is a serious safety concern, as the passenger was not properly restrained and had to brace themselves. …
Hello, I am requesting assistance with an unresolved noise issue coming from the rear seat belt area of my Tesla. I have been experiencing this noise for quite some time. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center in April, and at that time, the advisor advised me that they did not yet have a solution for the issue. I was told that because the concern involved the seat belt area, they needed to be careful with the repair and that I would be contacted once a proper solution was identified. I never received that follow-up. I am now being told that the noise is "normal," which is unacceptable. This is a brand-new vehicle, and I paid a significant amount of money for it. …
The contact owns a 2025 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a tree impacting the front of the vehicle, but the air bags did not deploy. In addition, the seat belt failed to retract during the crash. The front of the vehicle was severely damaged. The contact did not sustain injuries. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired however it was pending diagnosis at a Tesla Service Center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,444.
A few weeks ago my seatbelt censor started acting up, and then two weeks later that my heater quit. They blamed Chewed wiring because of soy based coatings, and set its not in the warranty and accused rodent damage since the rear seat was eaten. I got the call during diagnosis demanding i bring the loaner car because they wanted $1,349.07 which i did not have because a 9/11 first responder and don't have other insurance accept mandated state minimums, they told me bring the loaner back, on the way home FSD worked till i got towards my putnam county rural route 22 when power steering FSD and power breaks died. I skidded at 25 mph managed to get to park and plug it and leaving it this. So the tech put the plugs together and made the situation worse by plugging chewed harness together. …
Several malfunctions: all cameras including rear cameras were disabled, high beams would flash on and off continuously when in auto mode. Front Passenger safety restraint failure alert message that eventually turned off. The car continuously has a humming noise even after turned off. Navigation system was not operable.
The seat belt buckle on the driver's seat failed to latch. After several attempts, it appeared to latch but did not make a clicking sound. The driver is unsure whether the seat belt is functioning properly. This is a new car, less than 5 months old.
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.
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.
Related recalls (5)
Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices
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
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 belts › Front
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Seat belts › Critical fasteners
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021.
Seat belts › Critical fasteners
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021.
Frequently asked questions
Which Tesla Model Y years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2023 (36), 2021 (27), 2022 (24), 2020 (12) and 2026 (9) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2023.
Is there a recall for Tesla Model Y seat belt problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 24V-376 (warning light/devices, May 28, 2024); 23V-130 (anchorage, Feb 27, 2023); 22V-045 (front, Feb 1, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Tesla Model Y seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles; 86% happened before 50,000 miles.
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.