2021 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Seat belt or seat problems
- 43owner reports
- $800median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jul 26, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
43 of the 1,067 complaints on this car describe seat belt.
Tick what matches of 43 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the seat belts cover the 2021 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 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace 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-21-20-002.
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
7 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $466 to $1,582.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“On 7/18/2023 - my car reported the following: Replace Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat. In essence the seat sensor on the car malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. Tesla charged me $466.29 to replace this and said that this was not under warranty, even though this was a safety issue on their part.”
Filed Jul 19, 2023
“rear seat belts do not latch. the male portion of the seatbelt will be able to go in fully, but there's no click or latch to prevent it from coming back out. this is a huge safety issue, but Tesla has refused to service it. there are no warning lamps or messages.”
Filed May 30, 2023
“Hi, I just read the news about NHTSA on Model X pretensioner recall and found my Model Y may have the same issue. The seatbelt hold on the driver's seat is extended a lot compared to the passages seat.”
Filed Mar 28, 2023
“Easy Entry resulted in fractured/ broken toe of back seat passenger. Foot was resting in seat rail when driver exited vehicle which caused the seat to auto position to rear and crushed passenger toe. Driver jumped back into vehicle and engaged park to auto move seat to forward position”
Filed Mar 27, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 43 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
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 361 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 329 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 181 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 99 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 72 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 51 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 29 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 25 reports