2021 Tesla Model Y seats & seat belts problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V376000May 28, 2024125,233 vehicles
  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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

  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.

• Recall 22V045000Feb 1, 2022817,143 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

• Recall 21V389000May 25, 20215,530 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS · 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.

  Risk: An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-001.

• Recall 21V388000May 25, 20212,166 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

  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.

  Risk: Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-002.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 26, 2026CASeats & Seat Belts

   This is for a recurring front passenger safety restraint system defect on a 2021 Tesla Model Y, VIN [XXX]. The defect has now resulted in at least six service visits or invoices involving the same front passenger restraint / occupancy system concern, and Tesla has now charged $1,582.18 for another repair involving the front passenger seat cushion trim and seat back trim even though prior repairs did not permanently correct the condition. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…

   NHTSA complaint #11752865 · source
2. Filed Jul 22, 2026RIElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   Hello, We have 46224 miles on the car currently. A couple of weeks back the whole battery died. Tesla replaced the battery and we picked up the car this past Friday, the XXX. After picking up the car the driver's seat does not slide. I looked it up online on the Tesla website as well as on the app and at both the places it was strongly recommended to bring the car back to Tesla as the problem was very very likely secondary to the battery replacement. the seat does not move…

   NHTSA complaint #11752211 · source
3. Filed Jul 11, 2026NCAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   Recurring front passenger safety restraint system fault causing incorrect occupant detection for airbag deployment. Failed and was ‘repaired’ 3 times since 2024, including 2 consecutive failed repairs of the same part within the last 3 months. Tesla service advisor also mentioned informally this is a common issue. Tesla is now refusing further no-cost repair despite both recent repairs remaining under Tesla’s own parts warranty.

   NHTSA complaint #11749701 · source
4. Filed Jun 29, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechSeats & Seat BeltsWheels & Tires

   Tesla model y is experiencing a front passenger airbag sensor failure (OCS) covered by factory bulletin SB-23-20-002 alongside TMPS and EAEB alerts. Tesla corporate resolutions is refusing to fix these safety system failures with out charging $1400 out-of-pocket, citing warranty expired.

   NHTSA complaint #11747298 · source
5. Filed Jun 12, 2026CASeats & Seat Belts

   We were trying to drive home and the middle seat belt, where my youngest child was sitting, would not latch. it would 'click' in, but if you pulled on it, it would pop out. This was terrifying because we had to drive home on a 2-lane highway with oncoming traffic. I checked online and found that many others have reported this issue because the seat belt latch sits rigidly upright in a divot in the seat, which acts as a funnel to direct any crumbs or dropped items to go into…

   NHTSA complaint #11743750 · source
6. Filed Dec 11, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   In early Nov 2025 my Tesla Model Y began intermittently showing warnings about the forward collision warning system and multiple sensors being offline. Tesla service replaced a faulty connector on Nov 3. On Nov 15, 2025, about two weeks later, the car had a sudden drivetrain failure while I was parking on a steep hill. I heard a loud bang from the front of the car and the vehicle immediately lost drive power and had to be towed. Tesla diagnosed a failed front motor inverter…

   NHTSA complaint #11704381 · source
7. Filed Nov 28, 2025PASeats & Seat Belts

   Left rear passenger seatbelt stopped working. There are no visible issues with the belt, metal plug or receptacle, but for some reason the seatbelt will not engage nor click in to secure the belt onto the passenger. This is a safety issue as my daughter typically sits in this seat and she cannot safely sit there now without a functioning seat belt.

   NHTSA complaint #11701878 · source
8. Filed Nov 3, 2025ARSeats & Seat Belts

   Both rear seat belt buckles (driver-side rear and center) fail to latch securely. The metal tongue inserts fully into the buckle but does not lock with an audible click and releases immediately upon light tension. This prevents the seat belts from restraining passengers in a crash. - No visible debris, damage, or contamination in either buckle. - Issue occurs consistently on multiple attempts and with different seat belt tongues. - Vehicle is 2021 Model Y Long Range with…

   NHTSA complaint #11697124 · source
9. Filed Aug 25, 2025CASeats & Seat Belts

   I have an alert that says Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Issue and Service is required. This is a major safety issue and the Tesla Service Center says I need to pay $800 to fix it. This is a manufacturer issue and the cost should not be incurred by the vehicle owner. This issue puts my family safety at risk and the light is coming up everytime I drive. I need TESLA to review it and fix this at no cost.

   NHTSA complaint #11682933 · source
10. Filed Jun 17, 2025NMAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    “Front passenger Safety restraint system fault, service required” RCM2_a636 message keeps appearing on the screen. It happened right after I bought the car, so I took it to Tesla to fix. It went away for a few months and now it’s back again. According to Tesla, this fault, “ Based on the airbag system's self-diagnostic checks, a persistent fault has been detected in one or more safety restraint components. This could involve seat belts, impact sensors, occupant sensors, or…

    NHTSA complaint #11667345 · source
11. Filed Mar 14, 2025NYSeats & Seat Belts

    Continued failure of the OCS system after repair by tesla. This is the system responsible for determining if a passenger is in the passenger seat and without this is a safety issue. As it could affect airbag deployment.

    NHTSA complaint #11648401 · source
12. Filed Feb 27, 2025CASeats & Seat Belts

    I am writing to formally file a complaint against Tesla Motors regarding a serious safety issue involving defective seat belts in my vehicle. Despite my efforts to address this matter directly with Tesla, their response has been dismissive, prioritizing an out-of-pocket repair fee over a fundamental safety concern. Recently, my [XXX] son discovered that rear driver side seat belt does not latch onto the buckle. When I contacted Tesla to seek assistance in resolving this…

    NHTSA complaint #11645405 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology