Tesla Model Y seat belt problems

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

The vehicle has suffered recurring, critical electronic and low-voltage safety system failures that first began under the original factory warranty and have now resulted in a complete central computer (HW4) failure. History of Defect: 1. Feb 2025 (~7,170 miles): Initial failure of the 16V low-voltage network and safety systems. Tesla replaced the VCFRONT body controller and low-voltage battery under warranty. 2. May 2025 (~14,543 miles): Safety equipment failures required replacement of the cabin radar and seat belt buckles under warranty. 3. Sept 2026 (~80,000 miles): Total Hardware 4 (HW4) central computer failure. This resulted in the complete loss of all Active Safety Systems, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Autopilot, backup cameras, and power management features. Safety Risk: The complete failure of the HW4 computer completely disables essential safety functions required for safe vehicle operation on public highways. Tesla has denied warranty coverage for the HW4 replacement despite the issue originating from early low-voltage controller failures during the bumper-to-bumper warranty period. ADDITIONAL CRITICAL SAFETY INCIDENT: During the computer/system failure, I experienced a power steering malfunction accompanied by an on-screen warning. The steering wheel became extremely hard to turn/stiff, making it nearly impossible to steer the vehicle safely.

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Seat belts · CA

The seatbelt broke spontaneously, and Tesla will not cover it under warranty.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · CA · crash · 2 injuries

**Incident Report — Tesla Model Y Safety System Failure** The subject vehicle, a Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology and advanced safety features, was involved in a collision at an estimated impact speed of 40–45 MPH. The vehicle's onboard recording system captured the incident and clearly documents the impact dynamics, vehicle speed at impact, and the contributing actions of the other party involved. **Incident Details:** - **Impact Location:** Left front side of vehicle - **Impact Speed:** 40–45 MPH - **Damage Assessment:** Vehicle declared total loss by insurance - **Recorded Evidence:** Onboard system footage available **Safety System Failures:** Despite the severity of the impact and speed involved, the following safety systems failed to activate: - Emergency braking system did not engage - Forward Collision Warning Failed - Seatbelt pre-tensioning/locking mechanism did not activate - Airbag deployment systems failed (front, side, curtain, and knee airbags) **Concern:** The vehicle's advanced safety features—which are primary design components marketed for collision mitigation—did not function as designed or expected. Given the impact speed and severity, these safety systems should have either mitigated the collision or deployed to protect occupants. The failure of multiple redundant safety systems raises questions regarding the reliability and function of these critical systems at the time of impact. **Available Evidence:** - Onboard system footage (speed, impact angle, timing) - Insurance total loss assessment - Medical records (if applicable) - Vehicle service history

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Seat belts · CA

We were trying to drive home and the middle seat belt, where my youngest child was sitting, would not latch. it would 'click' in, but if you pulled on it, it would pop out. This was terrifying because we had to drive home on a 2-lane highway with oncoming traffic. I checked online and found that many others have reported this issue because the seat belt latch sits rigidly upright in a divot in the seat, which acts as a funnel to direct any crumbs or dropped items to go into the seat belt latch, which then apparently causes the issue. This is a death trap design for children, because of course children drop things and make messes all the time, and applies to all three of the seat belt latches in the back. What is even worse about this issue is that as a parent I listen for the Click to know they have buckled, and I also check the seat belt indicator on the dash screen. Even when this model Y seatbelt latch isn't going to hold the seatbelt in place, it makes the Click sound and also shows as latched on the dash screen, giving parents a false sense of security. It looks like no children have been injured or killed yet because of this design flaw, but please do not wait for that to happen. Please make them fix this issue immediately before tragedy strikes a family. Please watch the video I linked to in the PDF to see how the seatbelt clicks into place, but then can be pulled free by a firm tug on the seatbelt.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

The vehicle’s secondary Autopilot Processor / car computer is internally faulted and stuck in a continuous wake/shutdown loop. This causes severe standby battery drain (~20 miles of range lost per day while parked) and completely prevents all over-the-air software updates - including federally mandated safety recall remedies. On April 4, 2024, Tesla Service diagnosed the fault and linked it to the drain and inability to update. On the same visit, Tesla added two safety recalls (23V‑838 Autosteer controls and 24V‑051 Brake/Park/ABS indicators) to the work order. They then demanded ~$3,000 customer payment for computer replacement before the recalls could be performed. After I declined the paid repair, Tesla marked both recalls as “completed” via software update despite the same invoice stating the vehicle could not receive updates and remained on software version 2023.38.9 (which predates both remedy firmwares they claimed was installed). Tesla is effectively paywalling federally required safety recall remedies by requiring the customer to first pay for computer replacement first. Two additional recalls remain open (21V‑389 seat belt fasteners and 24V‑554 hood latch). The problem has been confirmed and documented multiple times by Tesla Service.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Seat belts · TX · 1 injury

I lease a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The rear passenger side seat belt/buckle assembly had previously experienced issues involving unexpected disengagement/unlatching. The vehicle was previously brought to Tesla for service regarding the restraint system/rear passenger buckle area and Tesla represented that the issue had been addressed. On April 4, 2026, during an emergency braking event to avoid another vehicle that abruptly cut in front of me and slammed on its brakes, I was forced to brake hard and maneuver to avoid a collision. During that braking event, the rear passenger side buckle released/unlatched while my child was properly secured in a child safety seat in that seating position. As a result, the entire child safety seat violently pitched forward and my child’s face struck the seat in front of her. This incident occurred after Tesla had already been given notice of restraint system concerns involving this seating position and after prior service attempts. The issue raises serious concerns regarding rear passenger restraint integrity and child occupant safety during emergency braking situations. Tesla was formally notified again regarding this incident on May 12, 2026. As of the date of this complaint, approximately one week has passed and Tesla has not responded or attempted contact regarding the reported child occupant restraint failure. The vehicle has not yet been reinspected by Tesla following this incident and remains available for inspection. I am requesting preservation of all vehicle telemetry, restraint system data, diagnostic information, and service records related to this vehicle and prior restraint system complaints/repairs.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Seat belts · CA

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.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Seat belts · CA

The back drivers side seatbelt belt does not latch. The manufacturer refuses to fix without a fee.

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Seat belts · IL

Rear seat belt latch won't latch. This becomes a problem because dirt and debris fall into the seat belt latch since the seat belts latches are lower than the seat cushions. Child eats something with crumbs and the crumbs fall into the seat belt latch. Over time these build up to the point the seat belt won't click in.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Seat belts · 38,581 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side seat belt retractor unit detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,581.