The electric vehicle maker has just recalled 125,227 cars of various models due to a potentially dangerous issue with the seat belt warning system, dealing another blow to Tesla’s safety record.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 125,227 vehicles affected by this new recall may not activate the seat belt warning light and chime when the driver is not buckled inwhich constitutes a violation of federal security requirements.
The recall affects a wide range of Tesla’s lineup, spanning nearly a decade of production. Affected models include certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y. This latest recall adds to Tesla’s growing list of safety concerns, further tarnishing the automaker’s reputation for cutting-edge technology and innovation.
Tesla must recall its cars, but not at the garage
The seat belt warning system is an essential safety device designed to alert drivers when they or their passengers are not properly restrained, thereby reducing the risk of injury in the event of a collision or sudden maneuver. The fact that Tesla did not quickly remedy this defect could have serious consequences, because an unbelted driver or passenger would be at significantly higher risk of injury or even death in the event of an accident.
To address this issue, Tesla plans to update the software of affected vehicles to change the way the seat belt warning system operates. Instead of relying on seat weight sensors, the system will update to detect whether or not the seat belt is fastened when the vehicle is put into drive. This software update is expected to begin rolling out in Juneto ensure that the seat belt alert system operates as intended and meets federal safety regulations.
This is one of Tesla’s greatest strengths. Rather than having to return to the garage like some other vehicles, Tesla just needs to roll out an update to fix most of these issues.. These “reminders” are therefore much less restrictive than the competition, which often has to call on dealers to resolve problems.
Tesla has been issuing recalls in recent months
This latest recall is yet another reminder of the safety concerns surrounding Tesla vehicles and the approach the company is taking to addressing potential defects. Just over a week ago, the automaker recalled 110,000 Model 2023.
Tesla’s safety track record is far from exemplary. In 2023, the company was forced to recall nearly two million vehicles in the United States due to concerns about the safety of its Autopilot driver assistance technology, which has been linked to numerous crashes and deaths. Additionally, Tesla has faced several other recalls in recent months, including one in January affecting more than 200,000 vehicles due to a software glitch that prevented backup cameras from working properly.
As Tesla continues to struggle with these recurring safety issues, consumer confidence in the brand’s ability to provide reliable and safe vehicles risks being further eroded. However, let us also remember that such massive recalls don’t just happen at Teslaand that the automaker is often much more scrutinized than others regarding its recalls.