Tesla recalls 125,000 vehicles for seat belt warning issue
Tesla is recalling 125,227 vehicles due to a fault in the seat belt warning system that may not alert passengers properly. The issue affects multiple models and violates federal safety standards. The company plans to fix it with an over-the-air software update.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has initiated a recall of 125,227 vehicles to address a problem with the seat belt warning chime and reminder light. According to a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall targets certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles.
The defect occurs when the seat belt warning light and audible chime fail to activate as intended if a passenger is not wearing their seat belt. This condition causes the vehicles to not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, which governs occupant crash protection. As a result, passengers may not be adequately reminded to buckle up, potentially increasing crash risks.
Tesla will remedy the issue through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, a method the company has used in previous recalls. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on July 27, 2024.
This marks Tesla's fifth recall in 2024. It follows an April recall of 3,878 Cybertrucks, where the accelerator pedal cover could dislodge and trap against interior trim, leading to unintended acceleration and crash risks. Earlier in January, Tesla recalled nearly 2.2 million vehicles—the largest in its history—for incorrect font sizes on instrument panel warning lights related to brakes and anti-lock systems, also fixed via OTA update.
The pattern of software-related recalls highlights Tesla's reliance on OTA fixes but also underscores ongoing scrutiny of its safety features by regulators.