2026 Tesla Model Y Seat belts Problems

Hello, I am requesting assistance with an unresolved noise issue coming from the rear seat belt area of my Tesla. I have been experiencing this noise for quite some time. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center in April, and at that time, the advisor advised me that they did not yet have a solution for the issue. I was told that because the concern involved the seat belt area, they needed to be careful with the repair and that I would be contacted once a proper solution was identified. I never received that follow-up. I am now being told that the noise is “normal,” which is unacceptable. This is a brand-new vehicle, and I paid a significant amount of money for it. I should not have to accept an ongoing noise that appears to be related to a manufacturing or assembly issue, especially after I was previously told that the concern was not normal and that Tesla would work toward a repair. I am requesting that this matter be formally escalated to management and reviewed again. I would like: A documented case number Review by a Service Manager or Regional Tesla representative Another inspection and road test of the vehicle The rear seat belt noise documented clearly on the repair order A clear explanation of the repair plan or next steps Please assist me in getting this issue resolved as soon as possible. I would appreciate a prompt response and confirmation of who will be handling the escalation. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11763299

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Driver’s seatbelt: This issue occurred twice. The first time, the car was parked; when I attempted to pull the seatbelt, it would not extend and instead locked in place. The second time occurred after I summoned the car. Again, I was unable to pull the seatbelt out. Because the vehicle was stopped in the middle of the street, I had to drive without wearing a seatbelt, which felt very unsafe. Middle rear seatbelt: This occurred once. I was initially able to fasten the seatbelt, but when I tried to pull the strap down to loosen it because it was too tight, it retracted and locked. I was unable to extend it again, leaving the belt tight against my neck. This also felt very unsafe. I brought the car to Tesla twice, but they were unable to identify the issue. I showed them a video demonstrating the seatbelt remaining locked while I attempted to pull it, as well as footage showing that I was driving without a seatbelt. No warning lights appeared during any of these incidents.

NHTSA ID

11734726

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

I am reporting multiple safety-related failures with my Tesla Model Y, purchased December 18, 2025. Within four months of ownership, the vehicle has experienced escalating issues: On April 19, 2026, while driving approximately 70 mph on a freeway in heavy rain, the vehicle suddenly lost power and decelerated to approximately 20 mph. Multiple safety systems became unavailable simultaneously, including automatic emergency braking, traction control, stability control, and vehicle hold. I was able to pull to the side of the road, but the vehicle would not restart and required towing. This created a dangerous situation and significantly compromised my ability to safely control the vehicle. On April 9, 2026, a rear seatbelt unlatched under braking while in use. This is a serious safety concern, as the passenger was not properly restrained and had to brace themselves. On February 10, 2026, the vehicle experienced repeated software failures causing lockouts. In one incident, I was locked out while my [XXX] child was inside the vehicle. On January 2, 2026, the vehicle required service for a cracked window shortly after delivery. The vehicle has been taken in for service multiple times, and although repairs were performed, new and increasingly serious failures have continued to occur. I am concerned about the safety of operating this vehicle, particularly due to the loss of power at highway speed and failure of safety systems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11732247

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

I am reporting a safety issue with my 2026 Tesla Model Y. The rear seatbelt system has experienced three separate mechanical failures, each requiring service and replacement. The vehicle was purchased new from Tesla, Inc.. Due to these repeated failures, I have had to adjust seating arrangements for my two children in booster seats, including temporarily relocating one child to the middle seat when a side seatbelt became inoperable. The issue has since recurred on the opposite side. This pattern represents a significant and ongoing safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11730210

Incident

Jan 26, 2026

Right rear passenger seat belt malfunctioned after owning the vehicle for one month. When I called the service department to discuss the issue, they said the part would take 5 days to come in. They denied me a loaner car to drive while I waiting for the part. The malfunction was confirmed by the dealership the following week and required replacement. I still cannot believe that a company who values safety, expected me to continue to drive my children in a car that had a malfunctioning seatbelt, until the part came in.

NHTSA ID

11728598

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

New vehicle was delivered from the factory with an inoperable seat belt. After removing a trim piece, I found the seatbelt wrapped around several trim clips inside the pillar.

NHTSA ID

11711855

Incident

Jan 18, 2026

1) FULL SUPERVISED DRIVINGD ENTERED 3 LANES OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. A TRUCK AVOIDED BROAD SIDING THE DRIVERS DOOR OF MY VEHICLE BY ENTERING ON COMING TRAFFIC DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. LUCKILY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC STOPPED FOR THE TRUCK. THE NAVAGATION SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE LOST AS WELL. 2) THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ALERT ALARM BEGAN TO CONTINUALLY GO ON STATING THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED. IT WAS BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP TWICE FOR REPAIR. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALERT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING WITH NO ONE OR OBJECTS ON THE SEAT. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE SHOP. 3) UPON DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE THE LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WARNING CAME ON. I SUPPLIED MORE FLUID TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE SHOP REPLACED A FAULTY HOSE AND RESERVOIR. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL COULD HARDLY AND BARELY SPRAY ANY FLUID OMTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE SHOP ADJUSTED THE PRESSURE WHICH HAS QUICKY FAILED. A TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT IS A NEW DESIGN AND IS WORKING FINE. A TECHNICIAN VERIFIED TO ME THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DOES CLEAN THE CAMERA'S FOR SUPERVISED DRIVING. I DO NOT USE THE FSD DUE TO THE FLAW IN THIS SUPPOSED NEW DESIGN. THE SHOP STATED THAT THEY HAD DIFFICULTY REPRODUCING THE SEAT BELT ISSUE AND KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS TWICE IN ORDER TO REPRODUCE THE RANDOM OCCURANCES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AT 2 SERVICE SHOP LOCATIONS. NO POLICE OR INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. IN REGARD TO THE SEAT BELT ISSUES THERE WERE MESSAGES, WARNING LAMPS AND SIREN ALERTS IN SOME CASES FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR EVERY FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. IN REGARD TO THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AS SOON AS I PICKED UP THE BRAND NEW CAR ON AUGUST 27, 2025 THE SEAT BELT ISSUES SEEM TO BE RESOLVED THUS FAR, THE WINDSIELD WASHER FLUID IS ONGOING.

NHTSA ID

11704031

Incident

Oct 30, 2025

I leased this brand new but demo car with 1850 miles, 2 months old from Tesla Seattle. This is a brand new total redesign-2026 Model Y. I was assured that they do multiple point testing before delivery and I had to trust their process. Unlike any other car dealers, I was NOT allowed to test drive this car before I sign the lease. The car was not in great condition (in addition to the expected wear and tear as a demo car). a) It's charged to only 60% battery rather than the full 80%. b) The stains all over suggest that apparently no one did any finish work as expected. I have pic proofs available upon request. The delivery manager Jill manually wiped off some stains when I pointed them out. c) There was a dent of 2-3 inches on the hood which indicates a possible past accident. After driving the car home, SERIOUS ISSUES were identified (because no test drive was allowed before I take the lease of the car). 1) The driver's car seatbelt does NOT LOCK upon a sudden pull, mimicking the situation in a crash. THIS IS A COMPLETELY RECALL ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE PPL TO DIE, AND MYSELF AS A MOM OF A SMALL CHILD INCLUDED. It locks about 3 out of 10 times. My previous cars- Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai and BMW all lock on EACH sudden pull! 2) The passenger seatbelt has the same problem. 3) The backseat seatbelts are much better, and locks much more often than driver's and passenger's. It locks about 8 out of 10 times. I went to Tesla Lynnwood WA on Jun 6 and the service manager Cayla and tech said there is no issues despite that MY seatbelt performs so much worse than (1) other two 2026 Model Y, one of which is a newer demo (2) older Model Y, 2025 and prior, locks on EACH sudden pull as well! (3) ALL 3 new 2026 model Ys ALL have much less reactive seatbelts! Another issue I had which makes me needing to have this car replaced under LEMON LAW is, (A)My phone key gets disconnected randomly and I had to use card key all the time (B)My 2nd card key can't open the car at all!

NHTSA ID

11665568

Incident

May 30, 2025