2020 Tesla Model 3 seats problems

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Seat belts, Seats · NY

2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, VIN [XXX] restraint control module fault codes RCM_a056 and RCM_a058. Passenger front seat occupancy sensor failure triggering "Service Required" airbag system alert. September 2024: fault code RCM a056: Tesla repaired this issue under the Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty (5 years, 60,000 miles) at Tesla Service Latham NY (326 Old Niskayuna Rd, Latham NY 12110). January 10, 2026: Fault code RCM_a058. Reported in writing through the Tesla app. Tesla scheduled a service visit for January 13, 2026. Technician assessed the vehicle in person and declined to repair, verbally stating the fault may be a one-time occurrence and to monitor and return if it continued. April 2026: Fault continues recurring. Tesla Service Latham issued estimate #XXX dated April 18, 2026 for $1,076.32 customer pay. Repairs include resistive occupancy sensor replacement and seat back trim cover replacement. This is a safety-critical system governing airbag deployment. Tesla has documented this failure mode in internal service bulletins citing electrical interference in the seat harness as a design issue. Tesla repaired this under warranty, dismissed a related restraint fault for the same seat when reported within months of the repair, and is now billing the owner for a safety system that failed due to a known design defect. A recall is warranted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Seat belts, Seats · ID

The car has message saying "Safety Restraint System issue" . There has been no event to cause this. No recent MVA or any stress or damaging incident to the seat belt or seat in general. Reviewing this on the internet, this is a common defect on Tesla's. The company won't fix it unless you pay them to do so which is crazy considering it is a defect in their safety system. And a well known one to them from my communication with their Tesla service centers which have a monopoly on fixing Tesla's. He said there would have to be a recall. So that is exactly what needs to happen from the federal safety agency.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · NE

I received a proactive service alert from Tesla car stating: Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Issue. Tesla wants to charge me to fix this and said there may be issues with the restraint system, such as seats belts or airbags if I don’t pay out of pocket to fix it. This seems ridiculous I have to pay to fix this safety concern.. please issue a recall for this… seems a lot of people are getting this after researching on google and Reddit. Thanks

Filed Apr 13, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · MO

My 2020 Tesla Model 3 has displayed a "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault - Service is required" error since June 2023. This error has persisted for well over a year despite troubleshooting attempts, such as restarting the vehicle and checking for obstructions. Tesla service quoted over $400 to repair this issue, but I believe this is a basic safety-related defect that should be covered by the manufacturer, as it likely disables the front passenger airbag, posing an unreasonable risk of injury or death in a crash. This appears to be a widespread issue, as I’ve seen similar complaints from other Tesla owners online. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this as a potential safety defect for a recall.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Seat belts, Seats · CA

The passenger-side seatbelt system in my Tesla Model 3 (bought Dec 2020) has been malfunctioning repeatedly. The vehicle displays a "Front passenger safety restraint system fault” warning, even when no one is on the passenger side. This issue has persisted despite multiple repair attempts by Tesla during the warranty period, but they have been unable to resolve it. Safety Concern: A malfunctioning seatbelt system is a serious safety hazard, as it could result in the seatbelt failing to function properly in an accident, potentially putting the passenger at greater risk of injury or death. Additionally, the fault warning may prevent proper airbag deployment or create a distraction for the driver while operating the vehicle. Attempts to Fix & Verification: Tesla has attempted multiple repairs but has not been able to fix the issue. According to Tesla, this is a common issue with this model, which raises concerns about a wider systemic defect. The problem is persistent and ongoing, making the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for passengers. Warning & Symptoms: The seatbelt fault warning appears randomly but frequently while driving. Tesla attempted to fix this issue as early as June of 2023, and has remained unresolved despite 4 or more service visits. We might have asked Tesla to work on this issue even earlier and more times since we're unable to pull up repair history before this due to their system error. This issue requires immediate investigation to determine if it is a broader safety defect affecting other Tesla vehicles and if a recall or mandatory repair is necessary.

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Electrical, Seats · CA · 1 injury

Back and buttocks area suffered electrical burns and pain from Tesla Seat Heaters (in heated seats) twice 1. Happened in 2024 on temperature level 3 2 Although I turned it down it happened again in 2025 on temperature level 2

Filed Dec 28, 2024 · Airbags, Seats · CA

I was driving my vehicle. It said there was an issue with code "RCM_a056 Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault." Many older model 3's are having this issue and with the quote from tesla, they would need to perform a retrofit for the electrical wiring system.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Airbags, Seats · TX

An alert stated: "RCM_a056 Front passenger safety restraint system fault." Upon bringing car to Tesla service center, Tesla stated: "Confirmed concern through vehicle logs. Found vehicle needing passenger ocs retrofit to resolve issue. Customer declined repair." They wanted over $1,200.00 for a faulty seat sensor because they claimed they couldn't replace the seat sensor without replacing the entire airbag system on the passenger side. They explained to me that they changed the airbag systems in their newer Model 3s and refused to stock or replace components in their older Model 3s.

Filed May 18, 2024 · Airbags, Seat belts · TX

My car is experiencing a passenger seat safety restraint error, which is a safety issue.

Filed May 12, 2024 · Airbags, Seat belts · TX

An error 'Front passenger safety restraint system fault' came up that seems to be a very common issue with someone people paying $1500 to nothing to fix.