2019 Tesla Model 3 Seat belts Problems

It was raining and my passenger got in the car (slightly damp). When he sat down, I reveived an error message on the screen saying "Front passenger safety restraint system issue". The airbag light is red indicating that it won't work for my passenger. You should be able to get into a car wet without your airbag no longer working. My understanding is that this is a common problem. Tesla wants > $1000 to replace the seat sensor + requires me to pay to have my airbag replaced so the part matches the sensor. According to Tesla Service Bulletin SB-23-20-002, the new style of seat sensor is strictly incompatible with the older style of airbag (known as a "Full Suppression" airbag). $182 (Diagnostic Fee) $475 (OCS Replacement) $318 (Airbag Update) + Labor + Tax The internet is full of reports of this issue. Just google "Front passenger safety restraint system issue". I do not have an invoice for the repair yet. Tesla's service center's first available appt is in 25 days. This means I have to go 25 days without a passenger in my front seat.

NHTSA ID

11745079

Incident

Jun 14, 2026

Our seatbelts and airbags required replacement as Tesla stated safety equipment on a Tesla is only guaranteed until 60,000 miles and after that they often need repairs. It was quite expensive. The seatbelts and airbags total cost was $1296.40 and already the Tesla says the front passenger airbag needs to be replaced again.

NHTSA ID

11741863

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

The car was giving me a warning "Front Left Restraint System Fault" (RCM_a021) approximately for 4 months (Jan 2026?) - I brought the car in for service April 2026 and after researching, the technician found that there was a failure in the wiring harness - this is the wiring harness that is responsible for the seatbelt pretension mechanism that activates in a accident. The technician had to replace the harness for the issue to resolve. However, it's my understanding that, had an accident occurred prior to the repair, that the safety system would not have operated properly.

NHTSA ID

11735264

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

I received a notice onscreen (photo attached) that says "Front passenger safety restraint system issue, Service is required." I did some research online and a number of other owners of 2019 Tesla Model 3 vehicles have received this warning, which involves a malfunction that is a combination of the front passenger seat belt, air bag, and seat sensor for the air bag. A number of people with this year and make have gone to Tesla, and Tesla service workers have said "this a known issue" for this year and make. Since this issue involves a number of safety components, and is a known issue, Tesla should be required to fix this as a product defect recall. Instead, they quoted multiple owners, including myself, approximately $2,000 to fix.

NHTSA ID

11733901

Incident

Apr 17, 2026

An error message appears every time my husband drives. Whenever he moves the driver seat backwards, “Front left safety restraint system issue” message appears on the display screen.

NHTSA ID

11730658

Incident

Apr 12, 2026

System error code RCM_a021 "Front left safety restraint system issue" The wiring under the front seat may be damaged due to the "easy entry" function which raises, lowers and moves the seat backward and forwards for easier entry and exit of the car. Safety restraint system or airbags may be compromised in the event of a collision if wiring or controls are damaged. Warning code RCM_a021 appeared every time the easy entry function was automatically started.

NHTSA ID

11708971

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

On October 25, 2025, the vehicle suddenly displayed an alert stating that the front left safety restraint system required service. The failure involved the front left seat harness, where a broken wire connected to the lap pretensioner squib caused the restraint system to malfunction. As a result, the driver’s seat belt pretensioner may not deploy correctly, putting occupant safety at significant risk in a crash.  There were no warning signs prior to the alert. The problem was inspected and confirmed by a service technician, who documented the broken harness wire and noted that the harness inspection failed before replacement. The defective component was removed and replaced, and the alert cleared after the repair. The part is available for inspection if needed.  This failure affected a critical safety restraint component, occurred without prior symptoms, and created a situation where the primary seat belt system may not function as designed.

NHTSA ID

11699547

Incident

Oct 25, 2025

Safety restraint defect

NHTSA ID

11691989

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

Driving as normal when an alert for a front passenger safety restraint system fault appeared. It went away on its own. I thought it was a software glitch. It would periodically reappear, then go away after a driving session. Last week it persisted between sessions. I learned that if the seat was moved slightly forward or back, then the alert would go away. I scheduled a service with Tesla. Tesla advised that the entire car seat and airbag would have to be replaced for $1800. This is a ~50,000 mile car with no collision history. It's just out of warranty. Tesla refuses to tell me if the car will safety function in an accident or not. The alert is gone, but I have a service estimate that says the car has all of these problems. Major safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11683901

Incident

Aug 21, 2025

My vehicle displays a persistent warning: “Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault.” A technician told me this fault relates to the driver seat sensor and is the same defect addressed by a previous NHTSA recall. However, I’ve confirmed that my VIN was not included in that recall. Despite the recall fix being implemented for some vehicles, my car still has this safety restraint fault with no resolution offered. This ongoing problem concerns me because it affects the proper functioning of the vehicle’s safety system, and I fear that my vehicle’s defect remains unaddressed. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue, as it appears the recall did not cover all affected vehicles and that Tesla’s recall scope may be insufficient.

NHTSA ID

11680257

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

Passenger Restraint System Fault causing the system not to sense the presence of front passengers. This could possibly lead to safety systems for the passenger to not work in the event of a crash.

NHTSA ID

11678193

Incident

Jul 28, 2025

There has been a consistent warning "safety restraint system fault rcm_a021". My initial investigation pin pointed to the harness pinched by the seat. Tesla service center diagnosed and required to replace FIRST ROW SEAT HARNESS ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND (see attached service estimate). The safety restraint system related issue put every Tesla's driver at risk and thus should be recalled.

NHTSA ID

11675179

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

Seatbelt pre-tension system fault (RCM_a021). Can be cleared by adjusting seats sometimes, but remains constant at my current seat configuration.

NHTSA ID

11673846

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

Started getting intermittent RCM_a056 faults stating "front passenger safety restraint system fault". Apparently this can be a safety issue as the airbag may not deploy and seems to be a common issue reported by owners. Tesla is charging owners to fix this safety issue, which in some cases is completely replacing the full seat and airbags. Instead, this should be covered under recall or bulletin fix.

NHTSA ID

11662082

Incident

May 16, 2025

The front passenger seat’s OCS required a service bulletin application, involving a retrofit of the seat belt reminder sensor and component replacement, confirmed by a Tesla technician. The repair likely falls under TSB SB-19-20-003 (2017-2019 Model 3), addressing OCS electrical interference causing airbag indicator issues, which can affect seat belt reminder functionality. The TSB involves retrofitting parts My 2019 Model 3 (39,140 miles) needs an OCS repair per SB-19-20-003, a known safety issue from 2019 affecting airbags and seat belts (FMVSS 208). Since it’s a manufacturing defect and a safety risk this should be under a recall.

NHTSA ID

11654827

Incident

Apr 9, 2025

Passenger safety restraint system fault warning keeps alerting on the display screen. I contacted Tesla about the situation and they want to charge me for the fix. This is a safety issue and not a mechanical issue

NHTSA ID

11641467

Incident

Feb 8, 2023

The rear driver side passenger seat belt buckle abruptly stopped latching, there is no debris in the the latch mechanism.

NHTSA ID

11636180

Incident

Sep 16, 2024

The airbag and seat belt system on the driver's side is faulty, which may result in an unsuccessful deployment of the airbag should I get into an accident. This is an immediate safety concern, yet Tesla would like to charge me over $400 to remedy the situation. That's why I'm reporting this as a safety recall so that no other owner/ leasee faces this risk or financial burden.

NHTSA ID

11634054

Incident

Dec 29, 2024

I along with many people online have reported the occupant safety restraint system having an issue and setting off a fault. I took it back several times on a warranty to Tesla. However, they were unable to replicate the air. Now the air is started again. the car is out of warranty and Tesla wants $2000 now to put in a new airbag new occupant sensor and clip. This is absolute ridiculous, and has really undermined my faith in Tesla. They should not be having occupant faults.and not fixing it.

NHTSA ID

11626496

Incident

Nov 20, 2024

I am submitting a complaint regarding an unresolved safety issue with the front passenger restraint system in my 2019 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ). Since February 2024, I have encountered recurring alerts for this system, despite multiple service visits to address it. Service History and Concerns: The initial repair attempt on February 27, 2024, involved Tesla replacing the Occupant Classification System (OCS) filter module. However, the alert returned shortly after, showing the issue was not resolved. On October 14, 2024, I returned to Tesla, where they quoted $1,800 for further repairs, claiming my general warranty was expired. Their records indicate that this failure directly impacts the front passenger’s safety restraint, making it a serious defect. During a follow-up visit on October 23, 2024, the issue was confirmed but left unaddressed unless I paid out-of-pocket. This recurring fault poses a critical safety risk, as a defective restraint system compromises passenger protection in a crash. Tesla’s refusal to provide coverage, despite prior similar recalls for restraint systems, suggests a pattern of shifting safety costs onto consumers. I request the NHTSA to investigate this fault’s prevalence and require Tesla to provide a remedy that upholds passenger safety. Thank you for your attention to this serious issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11622793

Incident

Oct 14, 2024

Front left safety restraint system fault/Service is required

NHTSA ID

11618343

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Front left safety restraint system fault alert which requires service from Tesla service center. Tesla is charging $360 before taxes to fix this issue which seems to be an ongoing issue for many Tesla owners. The cost should be on the company since it’s a safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11618340

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Driver Seat belt system(Front left safety restraint system fault) Error code: RCM_a021 with this error, there is a message/symbol showing as no air bag available on driver side. error message has been showing for a week now.

NHTSA ID

11617330

Incident

Sep 23, 2024

There is a common warning message on Tesla Model 3 and Y that states “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault” I just received it on mine. Tesla service advised that the passenger airbag and safety system may not function in the event of a crash. I searched online and can see in forums that many people receive this warning. Tesla also confirmed that if someone receives this message while driving and then they get into an accident during that same drive, the airbag may not work. This is a HUGE safety issue, and Tesla should be held accountable.

NHTSA ID

11615779

Incident

Sep 21, 2024

Over the last few days, an alert has come and gone numerous times indicating a fault of the front left safety restraint system. As of today, the alert persists and does not go away. The computer reports an error code of “RCM_a021 Front left safety restraint system fault. Service is required.” Additionally the airbag indicator is illuminated, which I believe means that it is disabled because of this error.

NHTSA ID

11613927

Incident

Sep 11, 2024