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 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 at all. When I spoke to customer service at out local Tesla dealership in [XXX], the earliest date they could provide us was in the first week of August! This is an urgent issue. We happen to be away on vacation that week. So we were told to review the cost estimate and then find a date on the app to bring the car in. When I questioned the estimate price, I was told that this was the worst case scenario. But the invoice clearly states Calibration, and 3 prices for a switch package all amounting to $364.45 with tax!!! Again I questioned this huge charge, considering the battery replacement and I was told almost rudely, "That does not seem to be the issue." Just not right!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The left back seat actuator engaged twice in the same day and the seat back dropped down unexpectedly on the passenger. It’s done it to my grandchild twice and hurt him. No injuries but the surprise and shock of the seat coming down on him was painful. I've had this with other passengers in the same seat. Tesla inspected it for this problem, but found nothing at the time. The problem is intermittent.
NHTSA complaint #11749176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seat occupancy sensor failed for the second time. The car will randomly shut off if I am inside because it does not detect a passenger. When I exit the vehicle, the car will stay on for an extended period of time due to failed seat occupancy sensor. This is a widespread issue affecting all makes and models of Tesla. They are aware of the high rate of failure and have not made any attempt to issue a recall. This is dangerous and inconvenient as the infotainment system will not pair with your phone because it does not detect a driver. When moving, the car will also randomly throw itself into PARK at speed if you don’t put on your seatbelt before moving. The first time this happened, I smashed my head on the steering wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11741791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a recurring and unresolved electrical/safety issue with my new Tesla Model Y. The issue has occurred 5 times within the past 4 weeks and affects multiple systems simultaneously. When the issue occurs: * The air conditioning stops working completely. * The driver-side front and rear windows cannot be rolled down or up. * The driver seat adjustment may not function properly. The problem appears intermittently. It may disappear temporarily and then return hours or days later. Tesla service has inspected the vehicle multiple times, but the issue continues to recur. This creates a significant safety concern because: * The driver window may not function during rain or emergencies. * The AC may fail during extremely hot weather. * The driver seat may not adjust properly, potentially affecting safe vehicle operation and driver visibility. * The intermittent nature of the failure makes the vehicle unpredictable and unreliable to operate safely. The issue has not been permanently resolved despite repeated service visits. I am concerned there may be a broader electrical or control system defect affecting vehicle safety.
NHTSA complaint #11738462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle had "front passenger safety restraint system fault" multiple times intermittently. Serviced by Tesla service center in Dublin, CA who confirmed the problem. Documentation on the invoice stated that there was an open service bulletin related to this issue and was related to "the occupancy sensory in the seat was not functioning as expected." Upon inspection by the technician they found "an open connection in the seat harness and seat cover that can cause intermittent alerts." Additional repair notes indicate that this was to "address a service bulletin related to the front passenger seat's occupant classification system. We identified the need for an update to ensure proper functionality. To resolve this, we retrofitted the system in the front passenger seat as per the bulletin requirements." The fact that there is an open service bulletin for this issue indicates that it is not isolated to just this vehicle. An issue with the occupant sensors of a front vehicle seat directly impacts whether the air bags will deploy in a crash, therefore this is a serious safety risk.
NHTSA complaint #11723972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. There is a constant thunking noise coming from the front suspension when traveling on slightly bumpy roads at low speeds. 2. Both front seats squeak and squeal as if they are loose and not bolted in correctly. 3. Front brakes screach and squeal when coming to a stop in cold or wet weather, escpecially pronounced during cold weather. (This is an active service bulletin in all vehicles made in their Berlin factory but is happening in U.S. built vehicles as well.
NHTSA complaint #11722218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Since taking delivery of my 2026 Tesla Model Y, the driver's seat seatback rocks forward and backward during normal acceleration and braking. The movement is both audible (squeaking/creaking) and tactile — the seat physically shifts under the driver's weight during vehicle operation. This is not an intermittent or minor issue; it occurs consistently every time the vehicle accelerates from a stop or decelerates. A rocking driver's seat is a safety concern. The driver's seating position directly affects their ability to control the steering wheel, reach pedals accurately, and be properly restrained by the seatbelt and airbag system in the event of a collision. A seat that moves unexpectedly during normal driving undermines all of these functions. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether this defect is present across 2026 Model Y vehicles beyond the scope of recall SB-25-13-003, and whether Tesla's practice of charging diagnostic fees for safety-related warranty claims warrants further regulatory action."
NHTSA complaint #11722326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello. I brought my Tesla Y to Tesla service local at 7077 W. Sahara Av., Las Vegas, NV. To fix noise in the breaks on Aug 28, 2025, After that on the same day i went to drive Tesla and I started feeling severe ear pressure, heart pressures, severe body pain from high EMF exposure, also severe electric shocks from the floor, seats, back of the seat, wheel, it has been constantly ongoing for already 6 six month since Aug 28, 2025. It’s when ever I am getting inside my car, driving, or just when it’s parked, I feel all that severe pain in the body, severe ear pressure, severe heart pressure, pain in hands, legs from high EMF exposure inside Tesla, also electric shocks from the floor, back of the seat, seat, wheel. My Tesla Y caused severe damaged t my health. I have all those symptoms and pain only when I am inside the car, when I am not in the car, I don’t feel any pain, and I don’t feel all of those severe symptoms and pain in my body. I have this car from 2024, it was perfectly fine, except that during hot season in Vegas, when the temperature is above 80 F, the glass roof got extremely hot, and it burned my head severely despite I cover with sun protector glass roof. But besides that I didn’t have any issues with my Tesla Y. Only after I brought my car to Tesla service on Aug 28. 2025, same day Tesla started causing me severe pain from High EMF and high Voltage causing electric shocks. I contacted local Tesla service many times and tried to address this issues. They didn’t help. I got response from Tesla manager at W. Sahara “ hope it will resolve by itself”:(( no one addressed this issue seriously. I noticed, every time I broght my Tesla Y to local Tesla services here in Las Vegas, the EMF exposure and electric shocks became even more extreme, worst like a 100 times more:(( I honestly after these horrific experience with Local Tesla services I DONT TRUST THOSE TESLA TECHS anymore. PLEASE HELP AND CONDUCT HIGH EMF AND HIGH VOLTAGE INSPECTIONS FOR MY CAR!
NHTSA complaint #11721100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
Tesla driver seat folding down and moving forward automatically, especially when the driver is seated: It keeps happening when I enter the car. It might be triggered by my pressing the brake before i decide to start driving, or even while I am simply parked for a while, without giving any instructions to the seat. My searches online point to the easy entry setting.This dangerous behaviour is not part of a correct definition of easy entry. Why are sensors and stupid programming now allowed to override the safety of the driver? There is no such thing as "correctly detecting the driver or not" dangerous stupidities with older and even more mechanical driver seats, and with older versions of motorised driver seats in other cars. The seat was not empty and the seated driver gave no movement and no folding instructions to the tesla car driver seat.
NHTSA complaint #11710015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear AC fails or does not turn on reliably, even with proper settings and a child in the back seat. • I live in Texas; inside temps can rapidly become dangerous, and a child’s body heats several times faster than an adult’s, increasing the risk of heatstroke. • The vehicle is under warranty, yet the defect remains unresolved and directly affects the safety of a restrained toddler who cannot move to cooler air
NHTSA complaint #11703378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver’s seat material is deteriorating prematurely on the left bolster area. The damage affects the structural support of the seat edge, which causes the driver to shift position unexpectedly during turns, braking, and lane changes. This instability can delay reaction time and reduces secure seating posture. The deterioration is progressive, and if it continues, the driver may not remain firmly supported, which creates a safety risk under normal driving conditions. This also suggests a potential materials or manufacturing defect for this model year.
NHTSA complaint #11699613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
One day I was exiting the vehicle, and as I swung my leg out to get out of the car the outboard panel broke. Nothing caught on it, it just broke as my weight shifted. As the technician came out to inspect it for repair, it was claimed that this was a common repair. The seat controls are on this panel, so when this happens, this means wires are loose, while the seat automatically moves for use. This changes how the seat positions itself, and the panel interferes with the door closing properly, the seat position.
NHTSA complaint #11695917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During normal driving, the driver’s seat shifts/moves during turns. This is distracting and raises concerns about the seat’s ability to hold position in the event of a collision. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service to address this problem. However, the service center dismissed the concern without properly diagnosing it. Specifically, Tesla did not perform a test drive to replicate the issue. My wife reviewed the trip/route history for the vehicle after the service visit and confirmed that no test drive occurred. Despite failing to properly inspect or repair the car, Tesla has now marked the issue as “resolved” in their records and has warned me that I will be charged $225 for the next visit if I continue to pursue the matter. This effectively penalizes me for their failure to perform a proper diagnostic in the first place. In summary: •The seat continues to move while driving. •Tesla did not test-drive the car to replicate the issue. •The problem was dismissed without resolution. •I have now been told I will be charged $225 if I bring the car in again. This combination of (1) an unresolved safety defect, (2) failure to properly diagnose, and (3) a threat to charge me for follow-up raises serious concerns. I request NHTSA investigate and ensure Tesla properly addresses this seat defect without penalizing owners.
NHTSA complaint #11683531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor Defect – Tesla Vehicle In March 2025, my Tesla vehicle began displaying a warning message indicating a fault in the front passenger seat occupancy sensor system. I brought the car in for service on March 14, 2025, and the system was reportedly replaced. However, in April, the issue recurred — the seat sensor alarm would activate randomly, particularly after going over bumps, falsely indicating that a passenger was present when the seat was unoccupied. I returned the car to Tesla service, and they again claimed to have repaired the issue. Despite this, the false passenger occupancy alerts continued. In May, I contacted Tesla and submitted several videos clearly documenting the problem. Tesla performed a remote diagnostic and stated that the seat occupancy sensor was functioning as intended. On June 22, 2025, I brought the vehicle back in for in-person inspection. Tesla physically examined the vehicle and acknowledged that the false alarm could be reproduced in a similar model vehicle, effectively confirming a design defect. Despite this, Tesla maintained that the issue did not affect the safety or function of the front seat. I believe this defect presents two significant safety concerns: 1.The frequent false alarms are distracting during driving, increasing the risk of an accident. 2.The defect raises serious concerns about the reliability of airbag deployment and other safety systems, which rely on accurate seat occupancy detection in the event of a collision. I have video evidence and service documentation supporting the timeline and recurrence of this defect. The problem has been reviewed multiple times by Tesla service teams, both remotely and in person. Tesla has acknowledged the issue can be reproduced but has taken no corrective action. I have videos of the defect I can submit and documentation of my conversations with Tesla.
NHTSA complaint #11668616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
“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 related safety components. • If the airbag warning indicator stays on, the vehicle should not be driven until inspected. • Recurring faults require immediate Tesla service attention. • Pre-tensioner or sensor damage can compromise proper seat belt functionality.” This is a serious safety issue that should be addressed in a recall as it could jeopardize occupant safety of the seat belts or air bags do not work. It also appears to be somewhat widespread and persistent. Tesla also does not appear to have a permanent fix as the first time I took it in they made a comment about one repair already having been done on this before I got the car as a certified used one from Tesla.
NHTSA complaint #11667345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I picked up a new model Y Juniper. I have an issue with the driver's side seat. The seat bottom is shifting and popping when turning. They replaced the seat with a brand new one. I still have the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11665528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.