2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 Seat Belt Anchor Recall (22V798)
Tesla, Inc. · 24,064 vehicles · Reported October 21, 2022
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 24,064 2021-2022 Tesla 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. An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V798 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V798000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-22-20-004 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 21, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 |
| Units affected | 24,064 |
| Component | Seat Belts > Rear / Other > Anchorage |
| Safety risk | An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 in recall 22V798?
The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Model 3 with recall 22V798?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the anchorage.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V798?
Recall 22V798 covers 24,064 vehicles: 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3.
NHTSA lists 24,064 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Tesla | Model 3 |
What is the fix for the Model 3 seat belt anchor recall?
Yes. Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 22V798 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 22V798 to NHTSA on October 21, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 20, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 21, 2022 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V798000. |
| December 20, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 48 months ago. If your Model 3 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model 3 is part of recall 22V798?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V798 is open on your Model 3, 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 2021-2022 Model 3 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 3 owners do about recall 22V798?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V798000 applies to your Model 3.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Tesla dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any anchorage symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Model 3 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,429 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 27 of them about the seat belts.
Since recall 22V798 was reported on October 21, 2022, owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the seat belts on these vehicles. 3 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the seat belts and were received on or after October 21, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related seat belts issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,429 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.
- 2022 Tesla Model 3: 765 complaints in total, 12 about the seat belts
- 2021 Tesla Model 3: 664 complaints in total, 15 about the seat belts
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
Correction: Retrofit SBR in OCS Equipped Front Passenger Seat – Remove and Replace. FIRST ROW – SEAT BELT REMINDER SENSOR BOX CLIP (1130363-00-B), FIRST ROW OCCUPANCY SENSOR(1099592-00-F) FIRST ROW SEAT HARNESS ASSEMBLY – RIGHT HAND (1489060- 03-G).
2021 Tesla Model 3 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11675374, filed July 22, 2025
The driver’s side belt makes a “click” sound when latch is inserted into the locking component but at times does NOT remain lock and the belt is released shortly after. The issue is sporadic. The belt is released with a low amount of force i.e.
2021 Tesla Model 3 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11713076, filed January 24, 2026
– The rear middle seatbelt became locked and will not unwind or extend. The seatbelt remained stuck in the retracted position, making it unusable. The vehicle and seatbelt assembly are available for inspection upon request.
2021 Tesla Model 3 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11723723, filed March 11, 2026
Can recall 22V798 make my Model 3 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)).
A seat belt that does not latch or retract correctly on the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 affects safety directly, and a failed recall repair is a repair attempt under California law.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Model 3 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
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.
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.
Has your Model 3 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model 3 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V798
Did the recall 22V798 fix work?
Since recall 22V798 was reported on October 21, 2022, owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the seat belts on these vehicles. 3 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 20, 2022.
Is the 22V798000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model 3 is part of recall 22V798000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
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 recall record 22V798000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.