cars news 10: All 90,000 Tesla Model S Sedans Recalled for Loose Seatbelt Issue

All 90,000 Tesla Model S sedans are being recalled because a front passenger seatbelt in one vehicle was not properly installed. Tesla sent an email to every Model S owner to notify them of the voluntary recall, the largest in the company’s history according to Automotive News.

The issue was detected in a Model S in Europe. A woman riding in the front passenger seat discovered the issue when she turned to talk to the rear seat occupants, causing the seatbelt to come loose. The issue was traced to the two anchor plates that hold the seatbelt pre-tensioner to the lower frame. The bolt holding the two plates together was improperly installed and disconnected when the passenger applied pressure to the seatbelt.

Although Tesla has inspected more than 3,000 vehicles without finding the same issue, the automaker wants to check every single Model S to verify that it is an isolated incident.

“This vehicle was not involved in a crash and there were no injuries,” Tesla said in the email. “However, in the event of a crash, a seatbelt in this condition would not provide full protection. First and foremost, we care about your safety.”

The automaker also noted there is no concern for rear seatbelts. The email encourages Model S owners to visit a service center for an inspection, which takes three to six minutes. If the issue is found, it should only take a technician about six additional minutes to install a new belt if necessary. Customers can also check for the issue by pulling on the lap belt. The automaker says it takes at least 80 pounds of force to detect the problem.
Source: Tesla, Automotive News (Subscription required)