2021 Tesla Model Y Seat Belt Fastener Recall (21V388)

Recall 21V388 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model Y in recall 21V388?

One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Model Y with recall 21V388?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Model Y shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the critical fasteners, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V388?

Recall 21V388 covers 2,166 vehicles: 2021 Tesla Model Y.

NHTSA lists 2,166 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Model Y seat belt fastener recall?

Yes. Tesla Service will inspect and replace both fasteners if necessary, free of charge.

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.

When was recall 21V388 announced?

Tesla, Inc. reported recall 21V388 to NHTSA on May 25, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as July 23, 2021.

This recall was filed 65 months ago. If your Model Y was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Model Y is part of recall 21V388?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V388 is open on your Model Y, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Model Y vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Model Y owners do about recall 21V388?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V388000 applies to your Model Y.
2. Call a Tesla dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Model Y owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 1,079 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 27 of them about the seat belts.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,079 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 27 of them involve the seat belts. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Tesla Model Y: 1,079 complaints in total, 27 about the seat belts

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

Continued failure of the OCS system after repair by tesla. This is the system responsible for determining if a passenger is in the passenger seat and without this is a safety issue. As it could affect airbag deployment.

2021 Tesla Model Y owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11648401, filed March 14, 2025

“Front passenger Safety restraint system fault, service required” RCM2_a636 message keeps appearing on the screen. It happened right after I bought the car, so I took it to Tesla to fix. It went away for a few months and now it’s back again.

2021 Tesla Model Y owner, NM, NHTSA complaint 11667345, filed June 17, 2025

I have an alert that says Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Issue and Service is required. This is a major safety issue and the Tesla Service Center says I need to pay $800 to fix it. This is a manufacturer issue and the cost should not be incurred by the vehicle owner.

2021 Tesla Model Y owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11682933, filed August 25, 2025

Can recall 21V388 make my Model Y a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Seat belt defects are safety defects. If the belt, buckle or pretensioner still does not work right after the recall repair, the repeat visit belongs in your records.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Tesla Model Y has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V388