Tesla Recalls Model 3 After Faulty Seat Belt

Tesla is now recalling some Model 3s in the United States due to problems with the seat belt attachment. According to the current state of knowledge, only a small part of the Model 3, which was manufactured between 2017 and 2022, is affected.

This emerges from a report by the online magazine Electrek. Tesla has confirmed a recall of just over 24,000 Model 3 vehicles over a seat belt issue.

Tesla is now informing the affected customers via email. It states:

“Tesla has decided to proactively recall certain Model 3 vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2022 to review the assembly of the left second-row seat belt buckle and center seat belt anchorage to ensure that the components are performing to specifications Our records indicate that your vehicle(s) may be affected by this recall.”

No problem with manufacturing

According to NHTSA documents, the recall affects 24,064 Model 3 vehicles. In the notice of defects, NHTSA describes the problem, which appeared to be caused by a service issue and not manufacturing:

Servicing certain components in Model 3 vehicles requires the removal of the left second-row seat belt buckle and center seat belt anchorage, both secured with the same screw. Both components may have been incorrectly reassembled after disassembly during a service action. 

According to Electrek, in August Tesla had heard of incidents where customers themselves or service technicians determined that the center seat belt anchorage of the second-row seat was not secure after a service repair that required the component to be removed and reinstalled.

As a result, investigations were carried out and 105 cases of incorrect reinstallation in the USA were confirmed. The recall decision was then made in mid-October.