2023 Tesla Model Y seat belt problems

SEAT BELTS

Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range Complaint: I am reporting a serious safety issue involving a vehicle sold by Tim Dahle Nissan Murray in Murray, Utah. Approximately three weeks ago, I purchased a 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range from this dealership. After purchase, I discovered that the rear seat belts were not functioning. I have evidence indicating that the dealership was aware of this defect prior to the sale. This is a critical safety issue, as seat belts are required safety equipment under federal motor vehicle safety standards. The vehicle should not have been sold in this condition. Additionally, the vehicle had an issue with the right rear wheel/tire losing air. When I returned to the dealership, they failed to properly inspect or repair the issue. Instead, they reduced the air pressure in the other tires to match the leaking tire, rather than addressing the defect. After leaving the dealership, the tire again lost air. Upon inspection by another service provider, the wheel rim was found to be bent. When the tire was inflated to proper pressure, it began leaking air immediately. This created an unsafe driving condition, as the vehicle could not maintain proper tire pressure. I was forced to have the vehicle repaired by Tesla at my own expense ($1,390). The combination of non-functioning seat belts and an unsafe wheel condition placed my family, including my newborn child, at significant risk. I am requesting that this matter be investigated as the dealership knowingly sold a vehicle with defective safety equipment and failed to properly address additional safety-related issues. Also a police report was filed but I do not know how to get ahold of that it was filed with the Murray police department

NHTSA complaint #11729586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear seat belt latch won't latch. This becomes a problem because dirt and debris fall into the seat belt latch since the seat belts latches are lower than the seat cushions. Child eats something with crumbs and the crumbs fall into the seat belt latch. Over time these build up to the point the seat belt won't click in.

NHTSA complaint #11725775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11725059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Safety complaint: intermittent uncommanded rear-seat folding while driving; rear (3rd-row) seat belt anchorage integrity. Issue 1 — 2nd-row right seat: Since the purchase, the right-most rear passenger seat in the 2nd row intermittently activates its seat-folding motor while the vehicle is moving. In each event, a passenger was seated in that seat with the seatbelt fastened. The motor engages (audible whirring), and the seat attempts to fold fully forward; the passenger’s body prevents a complete fold, so the seat partially collapses while occupied. This has never occurred when the seat is unoccupied. The most recent documented event times provided to the manufacturer for electronic log review (CST): • Fri Jan 23: 7:40 AM; 7:41 AM • Mon Feb 2: 7:26 AM; 7:29 AM; 7:53 AM; 7:54 AM The manufacturer requested these exact times to check vehicle logs, but reported they could not find evidence in the logs and could not reproduce the issue during service/test drive. Issue 2 — 3rd-row seat belts: During a service visit on Feb 3, 2026, the manufacturer found that the 3rd-row seat belt anchors were not secured to the vehicle (documented as a safety concern) and performed a repair/adjustment to secure the left 3rd-row seat belt, then validated its operation afterward. The manufacturer had also previously documented (March 17, 2025) that the 3rd-row seat belts were not properly mounted and were unsafe/operational for passengers, but took no action in March 2025. No crash, fire, or known injuries to date. Request to NHTSA: Please log and review this as a potential safety defect involving (1) uncommanded activation of a rear seat-folding mechanism resulting in partial seat collapse while the seat is occupied and the vehicle is moving, and (2) rear (3rd-row) seat belt anchorage/installation integrity, based on recurring real-world events and manufacturer service documentation.

NHTSA complaint #11715417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear passenger seat buckle not working. We have always had a car seat that was tethered at this seat and have not had to use the seat buckle until yesterday when we decided to reconfigure to high back booster configuration and tried to use the seat belt to buckle the kid in.

NHTSA complaint #11699670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Subject / Issue: Driver Seat Belt Failure – Safety Restraint System Defect VIN: [XXX] Vehicle: Tesla Model Y 2023 Complaint Description: On November 11, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM, while driving near my home, the driver seat belt cable snapped, leaving only the shoulder strap functional. This occurred under normal driving conditions, with no accident, impact, or misuse. The vehicle was then parked at my residence at [XXX] , and the failure made the car immediately unsafe to operate. The driver seat belt assembly and anchor points are part of the federally regulated Safety Restraint System, covered under FMVSS 209 (Seat Belt Assemblies) and FMVSS 210 (Seat Belt Anchorages). A functional seat belt is critical to occupant safety in any collision, and this defect directly compromises the primary safety system of the driver. Immediately after discovering the failure, I contacted Tesla Service via the Tesla App. My initial communication explained that the seat belt cable had snapped during normal driving, leaving only the shoulder strap, and requested immediate escalation to a Service Manager and replacement of the entire seat belt assembly. Tesla acknowledged receiving my vehicle at their service center (7077 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117) but did not provide a repair under warranty. In multiple follow-up communications with Tesla Service (including with Efrain), I emphasized that this is a serious Safety Restraint System failure, federally covered under FMVSS 209 and 210, and that it was not caused by user damage. Despite these repeated notifications and requests for escalation, Tesla Service refused to repair the seat belt under warranty, citing Owner’s Manual exclusions and limitations, and insisted that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. Tesla provided no written justification explaining how a federally covered safety restraint component could be excluded from warranty. The vehicle remains at t INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11699004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

2nd Seat belt does not latch and cannot be secured. This poses a serious safety risk while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11681135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

While driving, a persistent error appears on the screen with a chime: "Front left safety restraint system issue" (Error Code: RCM2_a128). After researching online, it appears this is a commonly reported issue among Tesla owners and may have serious safety implications. The error code RCM2_a128 indicates a fault in the vehicle’s safety restraint system, specifically related to the seat belt or restraint mechanism on the front left side.

NHTSA complaint #11666524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11657208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The panel covering the driver seatbelt popped open & now the seatbelt position cannot be adjusted correctly. It appears as if the track holding the seat belt behind the panel is loose /rattling and the seatbelt system may need to be tightened down. I immediately contacted the dealer/manufacturer & Tesla wants 17 days to simply look at the issue.

NHTSA complaint #11654110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear left seat buckle won’t latch.

NHTSA complaint #11649637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The seatbelt does not latch in the buckle.

NHTSA complaint #11644706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11634800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

This incident occurred repeatedly during travel from 6/28/2024-7/2/2024, the last time we had a passenger in the seat of interest. The right rear seatbelt kept tightening around the passenger to the point of extreme discomfort and eventually interference with breathing. The only resolution was to unfasten and refasten the seatbelt. The tightening effect occurred when the passenger adjusted her body in the seat or when the car experienced even minor bumps in the road. This repeated in a short cycle, approximately every 5-10 minutes, causing such irritation as to force the passenger to travel without the seatbelt buckled, despite repeated attempts to make the seatbelt operate correctly. This is obviously extremely unsafe--and illegal in many states, and in some cases negating insurance coverage, etc. Although this particular incident occurred in the vehicle noted earlier in this form, it also occurred in our 2015 Model S Tesla (now sold) on the right front side and in our currently owned 2018 Tesla Model 3, also on the right front side. We reported the original occurrence of the problem (Model S) to Tesla several times, and they inspected the seatbelt. There conclusion was always the same, as they stated to us, that the seatbelt was operating correctly, by design. We tired of reporting the issue. I know for a fact that for a correctly operating seatbelt, it may momentarily lock when bumps occur, then the lock releases. The seatbelts are available for inspection on request. There were no warning or error indicators presented in the car except the standard indication when the seatbelt was unfastened (intentionally).

NHTSA complaint #11627779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11626435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Received a sign on my car 4 times- front right safety restraint system fault All 4 times I have taken my car to get serviced for them to fix it but still sign returned 4 times total.

NHTSA complaint #11626116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear middle safety belt fails to latch. There is no debris or anything else that would be reasonably considered to make it fail.

NHTSA complaint #11623296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11619911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear passenger side seatbelt stopped working. It clicks when it is inserted and immediately becomes loose. It does not hold up and creates a serious safety issue. I have seen many people reported this issue online in Model Y Teslas. Nearest appointment Tesla provides is 2 weeks away and the seat cannot be used due to non working seat belt. I have never seen a seal belt malfunctioning in my entire life. It has happened many Tesla owners and these seat belts are not safe.

NHTSA complaint #11619715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The back seat latches will not buckle. This just started and had not been an issue until now. The middle and back passenger seat belts do not latch.

NHTSA complaint #11618171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11611288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

2 of the 3 rear seat belts no longer latch.

NHTSA complaint #11607146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear passenger seat belt does not latch.

NHTSA complaint #11599214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? >>> The passenger detection hardware underneath the front passenger seat had faulty wiring. The repaired hardware completed by Tesla this week is available for inspection upon request. I did take amateur photos of my seat hardware before-and-after repair. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? >>> MY PASSENGER'S AIRBAG COULD RANDOMLY FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF A DRIVE. Anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes while driving with a damp passenger in the front passenger seat (e.g., a 100 lb. person after swim practice), a red airbag indicator will assert with error code rcm2_a636 ("Front passenger safety restraint system fault"). The indicator would stay asserted for days, then start toggling on-and-off randomly. According to Tesla Model Y documentation, "If the airbag system detects a fault in any of the previously mentioned components, the airbag warning indicator stays on. In this case contact Tesla service immediately. Do not drive the vehicle until the airbag system is inspected by Tesla." (reference: [XXX] ) Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? >>> YES! I was able to reproduce the problem WITHIN MINUTES with the loaner Model 3 given to me by Tesla (sorry, I did not get that vehicle's VIN but I wager Tesla Ridgepoint Austin TX has it). SURELY THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM! Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? >>> Yes, but only after three attempts by Tesla. Each attempt was incremental (first: cable shielding, second: upholstery, third: replace the entire seat). Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? >>> No. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11590663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11590442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

I’ve received repeated errors of front right safety restraint system needs service with an indication of the airbags being disabled. Tesla has attempted to fix this on two occasions by replacing various wiring and seat belt parts, but the problem returns each time.

NHTSA complaint #11590269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The Tesla displays Passenger restraint system fault occasionally. The vehicle goes into turtle mode and the screen goes in park graphics. The car still drives slowly but doesn’t show any vehicle info such as speed. Took it into tesla service center last month and the said that it was because of a power frunk accessory. This is a common problem. Tons of reddit post and tesla forums.

NHTSA complaint #11569722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Car seat belt sign is on when there is no one sitting in passenger seat .

NHTSA complaint #11540966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.