What 592 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Bev

There have been a number of Tesla’s coming back to the dealership due to a left or right pseat restraint error, which is the seat restraint module failure or even pinched wires that have not been secured properly during manufacturing. This is a safety issue that Tesla needs to correct as they are charging customers between $460 and $1500 to be repaired and these faults end up coming back time after time. Any other car manufacturer would replace on a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11613726

The week of July 29, 2024, I received a report on my computer screen that the driver's side seat belt was malfunctioning. I checked and it moved freely--there was no restraint. I drove to Rocklin Tesla and they did a diagnostic test ($235) and found there was a low voltage circuit integrity issue. This problem was not from physical damage to the seat belt, but a problem during manufacturing. They required the left front row seat harness assembly be replaced. As the driver, I was at risk because if I was in an accident, my seat belt would fail to stop forward motion. Online Tesla forums explain this has been occurring, but Tesla does not have a recall. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. I was advised to send a report to NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11611882

While driving I received an error on the screen stating “front passenger safety restraint fail -service needed”. This would go on and off randomly. It took over a month to get into Tesla. By the time I got into service the error was gone but Tesla replaced a sensor and airbag to be complaint with the sensor costing over $1300. I have seen a lot of posts of other Tesla owners experiencing the same error.

NHTSA ODI 11608893

I continuously receive a notification on my car that the there is a fault with the passenger restraint system and includes a red income with the airbag. I have found hundreds of Tesla drivers that have reported the same issue. Tesla is claiming that my airbag needs replaced as well as other safety components with the seat that need retrofitted in order for the airbag to work properly. They quoted me over $2.4k for the repair and are holding me responsible for all costs since the vehicle is out of warranty. They told me that the airbag may not work properly. This is a common problem among Tesla’s and should be assessed.

NHTSA ODI 11607524

Error message from tesla: front passenger safety restraint system fault. Potentially impaired airbag deployment for passenger. Tesla fixed it under warranty in 2021. The issue is appearing again and I am out of warranty. The car will warn me once every 15 minutes (very annoying).

NHTSA ODI 11607269

FRONT PASSANGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT

NHTSA ODI 11596421

Car repeatedly shows a warning for "Front passenger safety restraint system fault." The error goes away after a few minutes usually, but comes up frequently - about 1/2 of all drives. Error came up in 2021 and Tesla fixed it under warranty in about 2 minutes, tech said it's a sensor under the seat and a frequent error. Called Tesla about it in May 2024 and they said it's a safety hazard and we need to replace the entire front seat and seatbelt, estimated at $1,500 and multi-day repair. Warranty expired last year which may explain difference in recommended repair. Friends with same car have been experiencing the same warning and there are many reports of it online.

NHTSA ODI 11594944

Received a system fault for seat belt SRS airbag safety restraint system for front left passenger. code RCM_a021_pretenLapFrontLeft Causes the pretensioner and restraint system to not function as designed. Has not been in an accident and verified problem was persistent with hard system reset and software update. Did not do modification or touch the seat belt components at all during ownership period. Worried that the pretensioner and SRS airbags will not go off if involved in a crash. First appeared last year intermittently and then starting June 1st, 2024 The airbag lamp is on inside the warning panel of screen.

NHTSA ODI 11592477

I have a known safety issue with my Tesla model 3. There is a fault in the clips, requiring a filter clip to allow the safety restraint system to work appropriately. Tesla admits this is a known manufacturer fault but still charges 400$ to correct it.

NHTSA ODI 11590987

Car giving message 'front passenger safety system error'. Scheduled service with Tesla and was given a qoute of $2500. I checked online and found that this is a common problem where seats have been replaced, some harness under seat is issue and in some cases airbags were replaced. Seems to be a common safety issue which is manufacturing defect and should be recalled with no cost fix. Given it is a safety issue, I cannot drive with a passenger on front seat.

NHTSA ODI 11591006

Tesla model 3 frequently displays front passenger safety restraint system fault message. This message is hard to take seriously as it comes and goes. It is rather confusing as the message full disappears if full self driving is enabled or subscribed. While I got the message on the display consistently from Jan to March 2024 I did not get the message during moth of April as I had free trial full self driving enabled. Now the full self driving grinders ended, the message is back. I am paying tesla to troubleshoot and fix. I believe this issue should looked by NHTSA and possible issue a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11587983

I bought a used 2019 Tesla model 3 and just got a system warning that says “Front passenger safety restraint system fault”. I was researching this and it seems to be a common enough issue that a recall should be issued for it. If the seat belt system fails, someone could be very seriously injured if they’re in an accident

NHTSA ODI 11587504

After owning my new car for less than 5 years I started intermittently receiving a "Safety restraint system fault" error. It seemed to most frequently occur when the driver's seat was raised. When lowering the seat the error would often go away. Checking the service menu's notifications there was RCM_a021 code. I researched online and found the following thread which exactly described my problem: [XXX] I opened up the connector and one wire was cut. I restripped and soldered it and the error went away. I consider this a safety issue since through normal use of different seat positions (including the easy entry option) the wire bends and gets cut, which causes the seat belt safety features to stop working. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11582822

UNKNOWN The seatbelt just wouldn't latch any more.

NHTSA ODI 11577949

The car's main screen displayed an error message, "front passenger safety restraint fault. service required." According to on line user groups this same safety system fault has occurred in many Tesla Model 3 cars. In my case, Tesla replaced the occupancy sensor harness in the seat and replaced the passenger side air bag, for a total price of $1800. Replacing the air bag was by far the most expensive part of the repair, but it wasn't defective, it was merely incompatible with the new sensor. With a repair this expensive, many car owners will be tempted to forego the entire repair, since the warning doesn't prevent the car's operation. Tesla should recall all Model 3s and repair the problem, otherwise many drivers will be tempted to drive with a defective sensor system.

NHTSA ODI 11575684

Repeat error messages of "Front safety restraint" on the screen followed by passenger window not rolling down. This has happened in June 2023, October 2023 and December 2023. The tesla windows need to roll down half inch for the doors to be closed. Because the windows get locked, i cannot close the doors. Because the doors are not closed i cannot drive the car. the other connected problem is that the passenger side mirror is folded and cannot be unfolded. Every time we log a service ticket with Tesla, they do not give an explanation on the problem and just mention it as a software problem. in July 2023 when the safety restraint problem was fixed, it was invoiced as seat repair.

NHTSA ODI 11560255

Warning message regarding passenger safety restraint system. Code RCM_056

NHTSA ODI 11558807

I get an intermittent error message: RCM_a021 Front left safety restraint system fault service is required Tesla service charges nearly $360 for this repair. I have understood from owners with the same issue that the connector to the seat belt pretensioner is the issue. Several owners have the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11548745

This is a rampant problem with tesla models. You get a seat restraint safety feature has failed. These are being repaired with a make shift repair and the owners are being charged for it.

NHTSA ODI 11545292

On my 2019 Tesla Model 3, the following warning appeared:" "Front left safety restraint system fault" This warning appeared in May 2023 and the local Tesla service center wants $700 to repair it - when this is clearly a driver safety issue and should be fixed at no charge. The vehicle has about 27,000 miles and is just out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11524056

My vehicle is giving me a warning saying "Front left safety restraint fault - Service is required". This is a 2018 Tesla Model 3 that Tesla says is a repair and not a recall. But if my seatbelts don't work, this seems like it should be a safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11511866

I started to having "Faulty Restrain system fault" around 49k miles on Tesla Model 3. Error pop up "service needed". Consult Tesla for repair. First they ask for $384 for repair harness wires attach for driver front seat. Upon checking warranty on Tesla.com, it provides 60000 miles and 5 years warranty for Restrain System coverage so tesla agrees to fix error for "$0". Upon taking car for repair, I was informed I had rodent cause damage (chewed) wires and it's not cover. I had to pay $180 for repair. I live in Phoenix city and where I live we don't have any problem with rodents. It's very shocking to learn that rodent get access to underneath of Tesla and can chewed on wires. Why wires are not covered with better material rather than cheap plastic tapes. Those wires play significant role in vehicle safety as far as restrain system is concern. Question is why Model 3 is so inferiors in quality and design that rodent get access to the wiring. Error cause many driving problems with air bags not working and causing speeding errors. I have read on Tesla Motor Club blog and many customers are experiencing same problem. Is there anything Tesla needs to do to make their car more safer on road? If you need more information please email me at [XXX] I can provide pictures of damage due to rodent provided by Tesla. Thank You,[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11497767

Constantly beeps and makes me think I’m getting into an accident took to tesla they say sensors are ok. But a car shows on my blind side and sometimes there’s no car there, especially big trucks doesn’t bring up sensor correctly

NHTSA ODI 11454290

TOOK MY CAR FIVE TIMES FOR BRAKE/SUSPENSION CLICKING, DRIVER SEAT NOISE (BULLETIN ALREADY AVAILABLE), AND STEERING COLUMN RATTLE ( ADVISED BY TESLA TO MOVE THE STEERING A LITTLE BECAUSE IT TOUCHING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ( BAD DESIGN AND SHOULDN'T THE CUSTOMER CHANGE HIS COMFORT TO COMFORT THE BAD DESIGN BY TESLA.), ALSO HAS ISSUE WITH CAMERA MOIST THAT PREVENT BLIND SPOT AND AUTOPILOT LANE CHANGE WORKS IN MOISTUR WEATHER, SEAT BELT RATTLE. ALL THESE ISSUE WITH SOME HAS BULLETIN THEY SAID NORMAL AND CHARGE ME FOR CHECKING IT WHILE MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY. ALL ISSUES ARE WHILE DRIVING EXCEPT BATTERY BREATHER SUPERCHARGING

NHTSA ODI 11414073

MY WIFE HAS A TESLA MODEL 3 CAR, PURCHASED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAVING ABOUT 8000 MILES ON IT. THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN AND CANNOT INSERT THE SAFETY BELT TO THE BUCKLE. MY WIFE SCHEDULED A SERVICE FROM THE APP. THE COMPANY SENT AN INVOICE FOR OVER $100 FOR THE REPAIR. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE ON THE WARRANTY AND SIGNED THE INVOICE. BUT AFTER THAT, I TOLD HER THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. IT IS NOT ONLY COVERED BY THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS A LONGER WARRANTY. MY WIFE THEN RESCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT, AND CALLED THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED IN THE INVOICE, ALSO CALLED THE TESLA CUSTOMER NUMBER. CALLED EVERY DAY AND LEFT AT LEAST 3 VOICE MESSAGES. HOWEVER, SHE COULD NOT REACH ANY LIVE PERSON TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE. MY WIFE RESCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT MULTIPLE TIMES SO THAT SHE COULD MAKE CLEAR ON THE WARRANTY ISSUE. BUT NOW SHE COULD NOT RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT ANY MORE, SO SHE HAD TO CANCEL THE APPOINTMENT. IT'S BEEN CLOSE TO THREE WEEKS SINCE THE FIRST CONTACT AND STILL COULD NOT REACH ANY LIVE PERSON TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE. I'D LIKE TESLA TO CONTACT HER TO DISCUSS THE WARRANTY ISSUE ON THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE AND FIX IT FOR FREE.

NHTSA ODI 11266831