2020 Tesla Model Y Seat belts Problems

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 ID

11723972

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

Subject: Complaint Regarding Faulty Seat Belt on Tesla Vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline, I am writing to formally report a safety concern regarding my Tesla vehicle, VIN [XXX] . I have experienced issues with the seat belt system, which I believe are related to a known defect. Despite this, my vehicle was not included in the recent recall for faulty seat belts. The problem I am facing is consistent with the conditions described in the recall notice, and I am concerned about the safety implications of continuing to use this defective component. I believe that my vehicle shares the same defect as the recalled units, and I request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether my VIN should be included in the recall or whether further investigation is warranted. Please advise on the next steps I should take, and whether Tesla should be required to address this issue for my vehicle. Safety is a top priority, and I appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11668372

Incident

Mar 4, 2025

I am reporting a recurring Safety Restraint System Fault error in my 2020 Tesla Model Y. The issue manifests as an alert on the vehicle's dashboard, warning of a problem with the safety restraint system. This error began appearing at approximately 75000 miles. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Safety Restraint System in my Tesla Model Y is giving errors. Yes, the component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This malfunction affects critical safety features, including the airbag system and seatbelt functionality, potentially preventing proper deployment of airbags in an accident. Additionally, when the fault occurs, it disables key driving safety features like Autopilot and cruise control, which increases the risk of accidents, particularly in scenarios where these features are expected to function. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by Tesla. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Inspection by tesla is scheduled Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, the "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault" warning appeared on the vehicle's display prior.

NHTSA ID

11615886

Incident

Sep 16, 2024

I have been getting "RCM2_a626" error for "front passenger safety restraint system fault. It comes and goes. Apparently it is a common issues among tesla owners. When I first filled for the error they quoted $2000 for replacing front passenger seat. The error went away so I canceled the appointment. Then it came back in a random fashion and getting more frequent. This time, in addition to replacing the front passanger seat cushion, "they're retrofitting "SBR in OCS Equipped Front Passenger Seat." I'm not sure what that means. If this is a common issue, there must be something to do with manufacturer QC.

NHTSA ID

11603610

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

Rear seat seatbelt (behind driver) doesn't latch

NHTSA ID

11585339

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

Rcm2_a636 Front passenger safety restraint system fault

NHTSA ID

11582868

Incident

Apr 13, 2024

Front Passenger safety restraint system fault. This is 3rd time this system warning has come up. The previous 2 fixes were under warrantee (the last one was Feb 2023), the new one is not and estimated at $1100 fix.

NHTSA ID

11548866

Incident

Sep 29, 2023

Passenger rear seat seatbelt stopped working abruptly. Buckle will not click to secure.

NHTSA ID

11543764

Incident

Sep 10, 2023

Its a known issue affecting many model 3 and model Ys front passenger safety restraint system fault. It's all over the tesla message boards. It just happened to my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11536957

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a stationary dumpster. During the crash, the front driver-side air bag did not deploy and the front driver-side seat belt malfunctioned and failed to secure the driver in place. As a result of the failures, the contact sustained an injured nose and facial bruises after making contact with the steering wheel, a fractured rib, and a right elbow injury along with torso bruises. No police report was taken. The vehicle was towed away. Medical treatment was later provided. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11483691

Incident

Aug 14, 2022

Mileage

22,000 mi

2 weeks back one of the rear passenger seat belts stopped latching to the seat buckle. I filed a service request with Tesla and scheduled a service appointment. They have rescheduled the appointment twice already and they haven't addressed the issue as the necessary parts are not yet available. I don't understand how to safely use the car with children if the seat belts are not working.

NHTSA ID

11419614

Incident

May 24, 2021

A FEW WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR IN EARLY JUNE 2020 I GOT AN ERROR ON MY SCREEN THAT SAID THE PASSENGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAD FAILED. IT TOOK TESLA SEVERAL WEEKS TO SEND A MOBILE TECHNICIAN TO MY HOUSE TO LOOK AT THE ERROR, THEY KEPT RESCHEDULING THE APPOINTMENT. BY THE TIME THEY SHOWED UP THE ERROR HAD GONE AWAY ON ITS OWN. I FELT VERY UNSAFE HAVING ANY PASSENGER IN MY CAR DURING THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF HAVING MY CAR. WHEN THE MOBILE TECH FINALLY LOOKED AT IT ON JULY 1ST 2020, HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT IN TO THE SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS OR TOOLS REQUIRED TO DIAGNOSE IT FURTHER. I SENT TESLA SEVERAL TEXT MESSAGES TO 408 560 5674 ASKING TO HAVE MY SEATBELT MODULE REPLACED ASAP, INDICATING THE ERROR AS A PASSENGER SEATBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. I ALSO SENT THE SANTA CLARA SERVICE CENTER AN EMAIL JULY 2ND THE DAY AFTER THE MOBILE TECH VISITED. THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT THEY'D LET ME SCHEDULE WAS A ALMOST A MONTH OUT, ON JULY 29TH. - MY PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED ON MY NEW MODEL Y. I HAD A MOBILE TECH COME LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE EARLIEST I CAN GET YOU TO FIX IT IS JULY 29TH? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE FIND SOME TIME TO GET ME IN SOONER OR I WILL HAVE TO GET THE NTSB INVOLVED. - WHEN SANTA CLARA FINALLY LOOKED AT IT IN 2020, THEY TOLD ME THE MOBILE TECHNICIAN LEFT NO NOTES ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT TOO MUCH TIME HAD PASSED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE LOGS WERE DELETED. I WAS PRETTY UPSET BUT THEY CONVINCED ME TO TAKE IT HOME AND WAIT FOR THE ISSUE TO REPRODUCE ITSELF AGAIN. FINALLY THIS PAST WEEK IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON MARCH 28TH I WAS DRIVING DOWN TO SANTA BARBARA FROM SAN JOSE AND THIS TIME SAFETY RESTRAINT FAILURE POPPED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVE. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BUT THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT.

NHTSA ID

11406730

Incident

Jun 15, 2020