Received a Front passenger safety restraint system fault warning on my Tesla that went away but the service tech claims that they don't see that warning when brought to service center. I am concerned that they are not transparent or not seeing something that I clearly saw. Or if there is some software/technical glitch that displayed it. They were not clear on why it showed to me. The other issue is related to A/C compressor failing due to their software for cabin overheating. I had to pay for the A/C compressor to be replaced but feel that their software contributed to the problem.
2018 Tesla Model 3 airbags complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 144, newest first, as owners wrote them.
"Front safety restraint system fault" message comes up sporadically and then regularly. Tesla has address this issue at least four times but it has not been resolved. I was told they ordered a new seat but now they are backtracking on this.
Front passenger safety restraint alert continuously stayed on with and without passenger seated. Took vehicle to solve problem immediately on 9/4/2023. After it was diagnosed, the occupancy sensor was faulting and the concerned technician had to retrofit the sensor system to address the problem. Technician replaced the front AIR BAG AND THE SEAT HARNESS for the new sensor costing approximately $1,300. This was thought to have been covered since it was seat belt/air bag issue but I had pay to have them replaced.
The passenger safety restraint system fault message pops up when driving normally. The diagnostic came up to replace the whole airbag after communicating with service center.
on 8/26/2023 @10:44AM, received a message on the vehicles display that stated, "Front Passenger Safety Restraint Fault, service is required". This fault is intermittent. Set up a service appointment and after diagnosing the problem remotely, received this response: there are currently no faults/alerts, so it is at your discretion as to when you would like to address this. When the alert is present, the front airbag deployment will not be optimized for the passenger weight. Airbag replacement is necessary to be compatible with the seat sensor update and will ensure better serviceability for the future if it becomes necessary. Let me know if you have any further questions about the repair. Estimate of repairs, $1760.00. I have another tesla model 3, 2017 model year with the same fault. First of all, I drive the vehicle as a commuter car, and 99% of the time I drive alone. Secondly, I am concerned that in the event of an accident, the passenger airbag either won't be deployed at all, or may not be deployed correctly and may injure a passenger by deploying too little or too much.
2018 Tesla Model 3 shows “Front left safety restraint system fault”. My car was not identify as having the recall applied but have the same issue the recall or warranty would resolve. My care is out of warranty and Tesla want to charge estimated $1,500 to resolve this issue. Tesla has this issues with all makes and models and is a safety issue.
The vehicle is reporting a right passenger restraint error message on the screen. Tesla "fixed the sensor" in 2021 under warranty. Now the same issue is present and Tesla says they have to replace the senor again with a newer one which is now no longer compliant with the OCS system or the air bag. They are charging customers $1600 to replace the sensor, OCS and airbag, all of which are safety specific requirements and is a product failure on their part. The error comes and goes at random, and at any speed. As low as 0-5 mph and as much as at 75mph
Front passenger safety restraint system fault. Tesla refuses to fix unless I pay out of pocket.
My car left the road traveling at 60mph, and after leaving the road it was quickly approaching a metal pole. At this time it seemed that the breaks were not able to stop the vehicle. After totaling the car, and what I thought would be the loss of my life, my airbags did not deploy. To further explain the extent of the accident: the front bumper is destroyed, the hood is destroyed, the windshield is destroyed and caved in onto me, the roof was destroyed, the back glass was also destroyed, along with much more extensive damage to the build of the car. The pole involved in the accident came out of the ground and through the car. It is unfathomable how I am still alive with manageable injuries. Yet- no airbags. This could have ended much differently.
I received an alert that there’s a problem with my airbag. I reported it to tesla and since my car is out of warranty, it will cost over $1300. Since it’s only an alert, I decided to not pay the $1300 but now I’m wondering how unsafe is it does it mean the passenger airbag will not work in the event of a collision?
We had a warning light that says "“front passenger safety restraint system fault”. The Tesla dealership said that the airbag needs to be replaced. There were no incidences that led to this warning. It just appeared on its own.
I received a random RCM_a056 safety alert message on my 2018 Tesla Model 3. The Tesla Service Center requires the following repairs: 1) replace front passenger airbag and update vehicle configuration and 2) retrofit SBR in OCS equipped front passenger seat. My vehicle has over 110,00 miles on it, so I am past the Supplemental Restraint System warranty period of 5 years or 60,000 miles. The cost to repair these safety alert is $1,257.76 as Tesla does not classify this safety failure as a recall issue; however, there are numerous Tesla Service Bulletins and complaints as early as 12/30/19 discussing this issue in online Tesla forums. Why is this known issue not classified as a Recall?
I am writing to report a safety concern with my Tesla Model 3 vehicle. The issue pertains to a persistent warning message that displays "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault". This warning suggests a potential malfunction in the safety restraint system, which could pose a significant risk to the passenger in the event of an accident. The warning message first appeared in July 2019 and has since been a recurring issue. Last December 2023, I paid out of pocket to get this serviced. The warning disappeared for a few months but reappeared recently. I have scheduled a service appointment with a Tesla service center to diagnose and hopefully rectify the issue. However, I felt it was necessary to report this to the federal safety agency due to the potential safety implications for other Tesla Model 3 owners if this is a widespread issue.
My vehicle recently depicted warnings on my screen showing " Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault" " Service is Required". I also sometimes get a visual warning showing a depiction of an airbag. Now I don't know if anything is wrong, but Tesla is going to charge me $400 to fix this problem. My cars warranty expired in April of this year. My concern is, if this is an airbag problem shouldn't it be coved by a recall? Or does your agency need to receive a large number of complaints to issue a recall? To answer your general questions, the warning messages started one month ago, late May. Beside the warning message, the airbag warning lamp would sometimes appear. I have a service appointment with the Tesla Service Center on July 1, so I should know more then.
Got an error code "RCM_a056" that indicates that there is a fault with the Front passenger safety restraint system. Looking at this problem online it seems that is not very unique and many owners of 2018 Model 3 have suffered the same issue. I was quoted for a service that changes the OCS sensor, but then they also have to replace the airbag due to "compatibility" reasons.
Driver received alert "front passenger safety restrain system fault." Tesla advised that airbag may not deploy when occupant in passenger seat due to seat pressure sensor malfunction. Added "filter" and issue corrected. Issue has returned and Tesla is asking for $2,000 to replace the entire seat due to pressure sensor not being otherwise accessible. I would like to alert the federal safety agency to this issue since I do not feel as though a safety issue such as this should exist on a 4 year old car and, in addition, the cost of repair should not be left to the consumer to cover. I feel as though a safety recall is warranted. Thank you.
Side airbags did not deploy in a major side impact.
I was experiencing intermittent Bluetooth connection issues along with vehicle not powering off and the gear shifting to park when moving the vehicle at (very) low speed without the seatbelt buckled. I noticed the Bluetooth connection problem after a bad software installation in Jan 2023, however the other two issues have been noticed since at least 2020. When I took the car for a second time, Tesla diagnosed the problem as a faulty seat occupancy sensor (SOS). Tesla told me that the driver side seat SOS is “sticky” that the car didn’t consistently know there was a driver in the car when I sit on the seats (which explained why the car would put itself in park when driven at low speed (<3mph) without seatbelt on, and why the engine kept running even after I stepped out of the car when the car wasn’t locked ( like, when the car is parked in the house’s garage). Further research on the web (https://www.carproblemzoo.com/tesla/model3/2018/seats-problems.php ) shows that other teslas had faulty seat occupancy sensors at both driver side and passenger side. Faulty sensors may lead to improper, or failed, airbag deployment. This is a safety issue that Tesla had known and should have performed a recall and fixed, or the very least sent a billeting to its service centers so that they would check the seat sensor when someone’s complaining about any of the three symptoms I had. When I took the car to Tesla in Feb 2023 their (mis)diagnosis was that I had too many wires plugged into USB ports and that’s why the Bluetooth didn’t connect. I didn’t complain about the vehicle going to park by itself - as I thought it was a “safety feature”. I didn’t care to report the motor running after exiting, as I thought it was the battery mgmt system running to cool the battery!
My 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range abruptly parks itself when a seatbelt is not used. The car does not wake up when sitting into the driver seat and the likely culprit is the driver side occupant sensor. To wake up the car one must press the brake or tap on the screen multiple times. If the sensor is faulty this means the airbags on the driver side will not deploy due to the car thinking there is no occupant. Tesla wants to charge customers $1300 for a replacement seat, which is unfair as it compromises the cars air bags and safety system. The car is drive able even when the sensor is not working. I am scared that if an accident were to occur the airbags will not deploy.
While attempting to park the car in a parking lot, the car did not respond to the release of the accelerator or the press of the brake but just continued. Car continued to jump the curb and run into a concrete wall without slowing or stopping. No auto functions were enabled on the car. Car was attempting to park in the spot on the right side of the photo but just continued on and ran into the stone wall.
I have been receiving the following message: Front Left safety restraint system fault. (Error notice: Notice: RCM_a021) Proposed repair: 1ST ROW SEAT HARNESS ASSEMBLY - RIGHT HAND - SBR(1489060-05-D) 1ST ROW SEAT HARNESS ASSEMBLY - LEFT HAND - SBR(1489060-02-F) It seems that this is the same problem that they repaired under warranty. Now they are repairing again at a very high price (quote. Work pending). If this problem is repeating, it seems likely other cars would be encountering this defect.
I believe the front passenger occupancy sensor has failed or malfunctioned again. The first instance of issue took place on 03/05/2020 and a second instance of the same issue has occurred again on 09/29/2022. It is available for inspection upon request. Front passenger safety is put at risk because the vehicle may not deploy the front passenger airbags if it is not able to detect the occupancy status of the front passenger seat. The problem was reproduced by the Tesla dealer after the first instance of failure. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer after the first instance of failure. The system warning that displays on screen - "Front passenger safety restraint system fault/Service is required".
In 2021 the vehicle reported – “Front passenger safety restraint system fault/Contact Tesla Service”. Tesla performed OCS rework installing an Occupant Classification System (OCS) Filter Module (part SERVICE KIT – OCS REWORK (1479982-00-C)). In 2022 the vehicle reported “RCM_a056 Front passenger safety restraint system fault service required”. Tesla’s proposed correction is to replace seat (part 1ST ROW SEAT ASSEMBLY – RIGHT HAND – PUR BLACK (7654324-91-C)). The safety risk may be serious and alert RCM_a056 is being reported by other owners on the web so the problem is not isolated. My understanding is the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Filter Module is part of the airbag system and weighs occupants in the front seat. The OCS Filter is used to determine if the front seat is occupied and possibly classify occupants by weight to determine if and/or by how much airbags should be deployed. The safety of a person in the front passenger seat maybe at risk because of this faulty OCS which could result in airbags failing or deploying dangerously based on erroneous OCS inputs. The problem was identified by two faults reported by the vehicle, the first OCS failure was confirmed by a Tesla Mobile Technician and the component was replaced (part SERVICE KIT – OCS REWORK (1479982-00-C)). The Tech said the seat heater was causing interference with the OCS’s unshielded wires. The second fault the vehicle reported was also confirmed by a Mobile Service Technician who said the replacement OCS filter module “can’t be calibrated”. Please note that this is the second failure of the same component. Tesla has the OCS Module replaced in March of 2021. No other parties have inspected any of the OCS Filter Modules. I will make an effort to retain the seat being replaced. Only two fault with “RCM_a056” code and “Front passenger safety restraint system fault” text were reported by the vehicle. There were no other symptoms related to this faulty module.
This car was hit in a T bone on March 15th 2022 by a Toyota RAV4 on the driver side , the driver side was completely smashed and the car spun 2 times and came in the middle ramp. In spite of this heavy impact there were no airbags deployed , after several follow ups with Tesla I have no answer so far. The car was deemed total loss last month and even after consistent follow ups I have no answer from. Tesla. The impact was very heavy that my wife had whiplash and she went through chiropractic treatment for 2 months .. I’m very worried as the impact was so bad that this is a fatal flaw in Tesla and they do not have the airbag curtain deploy to protect the driver side at all - my wife was lucky and she is alive but this could happen to anyone .. I need an answer from Tesla and I found I could get it through this website and need the right measures take so that no one will get injured or cause life in any accident in future
Driver Side Supplemental Restraint system reported an issue and need for service. Service department blames faulty electrical harness under the seat. A search of the web shows this is a common failure, leading me to believe that it is a design or a quality control issue. Tesla declines to repair under warranty because warranty expired 610 miles prior to notification.
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the warning message "Front Left Safety Restraint System Fault. Service Required." The contact continued to drive. The contact stated that the next day, the air bag warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a field mechanic would be sent to his residence to repair the vehicle however, the repair appointment was rescheduled several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000. Parts distribution disconnect. Defective airbag warning sign in red is also active. After repeated requests to Tesla they refuse to fix the issue and keep postponing the repair dates.
screen shows "Front passenger restraint system fault Service is required" Tesla technician confirmed that "Occupant Classification System(OCS) Filter Module" needed to be replaced and the technician replaced it. Please see attached files.
There was a seatbelt failure warning that came out on the screen. For obvious reasons, this ranks pretty high for safety concerns. I scheduled a service for it and was charged because apparently my car is out of warranty. Considering this is a manufacturer failure and not a wear and tear issue, a reasonable person would not lay cause on the owner but rather a quality issue, or the lack of it. I did a little research and found out that this is not an isolated case but rather an ongoing issue with other owners as well. A few instances would indicate an isolated issue but multiple occasions would suggest a systemic failure. Please consider reviewing the matter and resolve appropriately. If it is not Tesla’s responsibility so be it, just have it reviewed because so many other lives may be in danger without accountability. Thank you.
The steering system failed. I'm not sure about the availability for inspection. My safety was put at risk when my car collided with another car. I had just pulled out of my driveway and turned to go down the street a short distance from a stop sign where I would turn left. From a video taken by one of the car's cameras, the car went to the left side of the street and started toward the intersection where the car hit another vehicle. I have driven to the intersection numerous times. There is no way that I would have pulled toward the left side of the street. I believe that something in the steering system malfunctioned. This put me and other drivers on the road at risk. I don't know if the the problem has reproduced. There was a policeman at the site, but he would not inspect the vehicle for a malfunction. My insurance company must have inspected the car as they called today to inform me that the car is totaled. The failure happened so quickly, that I had no warning.
VIN: [XXX] I had an accident driving my Tesla model 3 on July 16th. Here is what happened: Driving autopilot at highway speed at ~65 mph Stray wheel/tire came and hit the front center hood/bumper of the car headon The hood flipped open tearing the hinges/struts on both sides of hood; hood lay flat on the front windshield With hood laying flat covering the whole windshield, front visibility became ZERO, also covering front windshield cameras Airbags popped on driver side (steering and below steering), and DEFLATED right away Autopilot did NOT disengage even after airbags deflated; car continued to drive ~65 mph on autopilot Not been able to see anything in the front, with both airbags deflated, and car still on autopilot at ~65mph, I found myself in a very life-threatening situation Eventually pulled the car to the shoulder on the left after changing one lane (still not been able to see anything through the windshield at ~65mph). Requesting: 1. Review and identify what Tesla auto-pilot could have done different and make improvements (since car had data on both sides of the car and front and back, as a computer, it should have at the very least slowed down or braked; or better yet avoid the on-coming wheel all together in that split second) 2. Why didn't the autopilot dis-engage and continued driving? 3. Front hood needs to have two front latches as in other cars - i.e., one main, one backup for situations like these (e.g., like Mercedes); single latch is not enough; both hinges holding the hood are very weak and broke within a second with just the wind. Hinges/struts need to be stronger. Just a wheel and here we are with a totally broken hood? 4. Autopilot is wrongly advertised as auto-pilot INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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