The US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla after receiving complaints from owners that they received their electric cars with faulty seat belt parts. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) recently received two complaints reporting failure of the front seat belts in 2022 and 2023 model year Tesla Model X vehicles to remain attached to the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
“Both vehicles were delivered to owners with inadequately attached anchor linkages,” NHTSA said. NHTSA said about 50,000 Model X cars may be affected. The fault involves the point at which the seat belt pre-tensioners and anchors are attached. According to the agency, “the linkage and pretensioner separated suddenly” when force was applied to them.
According to NHTSA, no injuries occurred in connection with the two claims of defects, and detachment of seat belt parts occurred “at low vehicle mileage”. Tesla was yet to respond to the inquiry.
The electric car company is also facing a preliminary investigation by NHTSA of 120,000 Model Y cars (2023 models) after reports emerged of the steering wheel dangerously falling off while driving.
Tesla has also issued a voluntary recall for its electric semi truck over a rollaway risk related to a possible emergency brake failure just months after its release. Last year, Tesla recalled more than 3,21,000 vehicles due to software glitches. The recall includes certain 2023 Model 3 vehicles and 2020 to 2023 Model Y vehicles.
