2019 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Seat belt or seat problems
- 76owner reports
- 49,000median miles
- $806median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
76 of the 610 complaints on this car describe seat belt.
Tick what matches of 76 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the module (4 reports) and the buckle (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the seat belts cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-004.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-001.
What owners paid
43 of the 76 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $360 to $1,600.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 27,000 and 66,000 miles, from the 10 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Our seatbelts and airbags required replacement as Tesla stated safety equipment on a Tesla is only guaranteed until 60,000 miles and after that they often need repairs. It was quite expensive. The seatbelts and airbags total cost was $1296.40 and already the Tesla says the front passenger airbag needs to be replaced again.”
Filed Jun 3, 2026 · 60,000 miles
“I have a known safety issue with my Tesla model 3. There is a fault in the clips, requiring a filter clip to allow the safety restraint system to work appropriately. Tesla admits this is a known manufacturer fault but still charges 400$ to correct it.”
Filed May 28, 2024
“I bought a used 2019 Tesla model 3 and just got a system warning that says âFront passenger safety restraint system faultâ. 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 theyâre in an accident”
Filed May 7, 2024
“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.”
Filed Oct 6, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 76 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 82 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 82 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 77 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 64 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 63 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 59 reports