Tesla is recalling nearly 16,000 of its 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles because the front-row seat belts may not be connected properly, which can cause the seat belts to detach, officials said.
“A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury,” the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report.
In March, NHTSA officials opened an investigation into possible Tesla seat belt issues. As of June 19, Tesla has identified 12 warranty claims related to seat belt issues, but is not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths that may be related to the issue, The Associated Press reported.
The recall covers a total of 15,869 vehicles.
Tesla will mail notification letters to owners of these vehicles by September 12, 2023. Customers can bring their vehicles to Tesla dealerships for a free inspection. If they can’t connect the seat belts to the pretensioner anchors, Tesla will replace the seat belt assemblies for free, according to the report.
See what’s being recalled:Check USA TODAY’s recall database
Tesla recalls more than 1,300 of its 2023 Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles because of camera issues
Tesla is also recalling more than 1,300 of its 2023 Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles because of camera issues.
“The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver,” according to a NHTSA report.
Customers can bring their vehicles to a Tesla dealership where they will inspect and adjust the pitch angle for free, the report said.
How to check if your vehicle is under recall
Car owners can check USA TODAY’s automotive recall database or search NHTSA’s database for new recalls. The NHTSA website also allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number, or VIN.
Contributing: The Associated Press
