Tesla has recently announced a recall of more than 125,000 cars due to a seat belt system defect that could potentially increase the risk of injury for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires vehicles to have audible and visual seat belt reminder signals to alert drivers when their seat belt is not properly fastened. In the case of the Tesla vehicles being recalled, these signals were not functioning correctly, according to a report released by the NHTSA. This recall adds to the 2.5 million recalls issued by Tesla so far this year.
Earlier in the year, Tesla issued recalls for various other issues, including a software problem in January that affected the camera images in certain 2023 Y, S, and X model vehicles when in reverse. In February, almost 2.2 million vehicles were recalled due to an “incorrect font size” on the instrument panel warning lights for the brake, park, and antilock brake systems. In April, all MY 2024 Cybertrucks produced between November 13, 2023, and April 4, 2024, were recalled due to faulty accelerator pedals. These recalls have raised concerns about the safety and quality control of Tesla vehicles.
Tesla has also faced criticism for having the highest accident rate of any car in 2023, with 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers, according to a Lending Tree analysis. The recent seat belt system recall further highlights the safety issues that have plagued Tesla vehicles. The defective seat belt reminder signals in the affected models pose a risk to drivers by failing to alert them when their seat belt is not properly fastened, potentially leading to more severe injuries in the event of an accident.
The discrepancy with the seat belt reminders was discovered by Tesla in April during an internal compliance audit with the 2024 Tesla Model X. The company investigated the issue throughout April and May, leading to the identification of the faulty tracing in the driver’s seat occupancy as the root cause of the problem. Following the completion of their investigation, Tesla decided to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles to address the seat belt system defect. This proactive approach by Tesla is aimed at ensuring the safety of their customers and maintaining the reputation of the brand.
The models affected by the seat belt system recall include certain vehicles with specific seat belt software that lacks the required audible and visual seat belt reminders for drivers when the driver’s seat belt is not fastened. Tesla is working to rectify this issue and provide necessary repairs to the affected vehicles. Customers are advised to contact Tesla or visit their nearest service center for further information on the recall and to schedule an appointment for the required repairs. The recall serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks for all vehicles to prevent potential risks on the road.
