Tesla Recalls 125,000 Cars Over Seatbelt Warning

Tesla recently announced another major recall, this time because of a problem with seatbelt warning systems in some of its vehicles.

The warning system should send visual and audible signals to drivers when they aren't belted in, a key safety feature. “Specifically, when the vehicle ignition is moved to the ‘on’ or ‘start position and the driver's seatbelt is not fastened, a continuous or intermittent audible signal must activate for not less than four seconds, and a visual signal must display for not less than sixty seconds,” Tesla explained in a defect notice. 

The alerts may not go off as intended in some vehicles, Tesla said. “An open trace in the driver seat occupancy switch may result in a loss of the audible and visual seatbelt reminder signals when the driver’s seatbelt is not fastened after the vehicle ignition is moved to the ‘on’ or ‘start’ position.”

The snafu, which violates federal safety regulations, may lead occupants to neglect to buckle up, “which may increase the risk of injury in a collision,” Tesla added.

The recall covers a range of different vehicles, including: 

• 2012-2024 Model S 
• 2015-2024 Model X 
• 2017-2023 Model 3 
• 2020-2023 Model Y 

Tesla plans to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by the end of July. Owners, in the meantime, can check the NHTSA website to see if their cars are being recalled.

Tesla also plans to issue an over-the-air software update to address the problem. It said it would begin deploying the update in June.

“The software remedy will remove dependency on the driver seat occupancy switch from the software logic and only rely on driver seatbelt buckle and ignition status to activate the seatbelt reminder signals,” the automaker said.

Tesla Safety Issues

The recall is the latest in a string of similar moves by Tesla, covering millions of cars. While many of the defects can be addressed by software updates, they nevertheless pose serious safety risks.

The electric vehiclemaker earlier this year called back thousands of new Cybertrucks because their accelerator pedals could become stuck, for example. Tesla acknowledged at the time that the defect increased the risk of accidents.

At the same time, NHTSA continues its probe into Tesla’s massive Autopilot recall. The company in December recalled some 2 million vehicles in the U.S alone. Tesla called back another 1.6 million cars in China the following month.

How the California Lemon Law Works

There is some good news: California Tesla and other car owners have some important rights and protections under the California lemon law.

The law requires manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) cars that they cannot or will not fix.

The buyback requirement includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments and the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car and other related expenses. 

Talk with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, an Orange County lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.