NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Front Seat Belt Anchor Detachment in Tesla Model S (PE23-006)
Opened March 24, 2023 · Tesla, Inc.
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE23-006) on March 24, 2023 into front seat belt anchor detachment in 2021-2023 Tesla Model S, 2021-2023 Tesla Model X. The investigation is closed on May 16, 2024 and led to recall 23V488000.
PE23-006 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE23-006 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | March 24, 2023 |
| Status | Closed May 16, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Tesla Model S, 2021-2023 Tesla Model X |
| Component | Seat Belts > Critical Fasteners |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Resulting recall | 23V488000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Tesla Model S?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On March 24, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging the front seat belts had suddenly detached from the outboard lap pretensioner anchor while in motion in model year (MY) 2022-2023 Tesla Model X vehicles.
In its June 19, 2023 response to ODI's May 4, 2023 Information Request letter of the PE, Tesla reported that its review of field repair data identified 12 additional warranty claims of the subject condition in the affected vehicles.
On July 14, 2023, Tesla filed a safety recall (NHTSA No. 23V-488) of 15,869 MY 2021 – 2023 Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles.
The recall remedy is an inspection of the 1st row seat belts for proper connection to the pretensioners.
Service personnel will resecure the pretensioners or, if necessary, replace the seat belt retractor assembly.
In its recall filing, Tesla stated that effective June 22, 2023, it had updated procedures requiring a first-row seat belt to be disconnected from- and reconnected to- its pretensioner anchor to include additional visual aids to assist technicians and require a pull test-step to confirm that the seat belt was reconnected to the pretensioner anchor to specification.
In view of the recall action and process updates taken by Tesla, ODI is closing this PE.
The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 23V488000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2023 Tesla Model S Front Seat Belt Recall (23V488).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Tesla | Model S |
| 2021-2023 | Tesla | Model X |
What are Tesla Model S owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 792 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 Backup Camera Software Recall (26V283)
- 2021-2024 Tesla Model S Air Bag Recall (25V172)
- 2024-2025 Tesla Model 3 Backup Camera Software Recall (25V002)
- 2021-2025 Tesla Model S Air Bag Recall (24V967)
- 2024 Tesla Model X Headlight Recall (24V904)
- 2021-2024 Tesla Model 3 Electrical Software Recall (24V554)
- 2021-2024 Tesla Model S Warning Light and Devices Recall (24V376)
- 2021 Tesla Model S Pedestrian Alert Sound Recall (24V153)
- 2021-2023 Tesla Model S Instrument Cluster Recall (24V051)
- 2023 Tesla Model S Backup Camera Recall (24V035)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.