Tesla is initiating a recall of 125,227 vehicles in the United States due to a malfunction in the seat belt warning system, which poses an increased risk of injury during collisions, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The impact of the recall is certain on 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. These cars fail to meet federal safety standards because their seat belt warning light and chime might not activate when the driver is unbelted.
To resolve the issue, Tesla will release an over-the-air software update, set to begin in June. This update will eliminate the software’s reliance on the driver seat occupancy sensor, instead using the driver seat belt buckle and ignition status to trigger seat belt reminders.
Tesla recalls 125,227 vehicles in the U.S. due to a seat belt warning system malfunction.
This recall follows other recent Tesla recalls. In January, Tesla recalled 200,000 Model S, X, and Y vehicles in the U.S. due to a software glitch that could obstruct drivers’ visibility while reversing. In April, Tesla recalled 3,878 Cybertrucks to fix an accelerator pedal pad that could loosen and lodge in the interior trim.
Additionally, last month, U.S. auto safety regulators initiated an investigation into whether Tesla’s recall of over 2 million vehicles in December to install new Autopilot safeguards was sufficient. This scrutiny came after a series of crashes involving Tesla vehicles.
Tesla’s approach to addressing these issues primarily through over-the-air updates reflects its commitment to leveraging technology for vehicle safety. However, the recurrence of recalls highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining compliance with safety standards and addressing potential hazards promptly.
