2018 Tesla Model 3 Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 105about this part
- Share
- 10%of 1,034 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 105 complaints about the seat belts of the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 10% of the 1,034 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was at a stop at a red light and was rear-ended christmas eve night, causing my car to be pushed into the vehicle in front of me at the red light. I remember my abdomen hitting the steering wheel and complaining of stomach discomfort immediately following the accident (I've since gotten x-rays and will need 12+ months of chiropractor therapy). I noticed a burning smell inside the cabin, similar to the smell after firing a pistol. I figured it was the airbag, however, there was no deployment of an airbag. …”
NHTSA complaint #11164977, filed 2019-01, 300 miles“Right before the car hit the 50,000 miles full warranty, I called Tesla and reported 2 safety issues. The first was the horn not working and the second was a seat belt safety warning. Tesla moved the appointment and when I got their, I have exceeded the 50,000 miles. The technician at Tesla's facility understood that I called before the 50,000 and that it is Tesla's fault I did not get the service on time. They were able to fix the low pitch part of the horn but did not have parts for the seat belt and the high pitch part of the horn. They promised to send a technician home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11267885, filed 2019-10, 50,000 miles“Driving on rural dirt road. Dust coming in from rear seat bottom, trunk, seat belt holes. So much dust it is unbearable, can't breathe and hard to keep eyes open while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11365913, filed 2020-10, 48,000 miles“We intermittantly received alerts on the screen showing Front safety restraint system fault (service is required). After many hours of research, we found that other owners also have the same issue and they found that a wire from a electrical connector that connected to the seatbelt pretentension was broken from the seat being moved up and down.”
NHTSA complaint #11565648, filed 2024-01“2018 Tesla Model 3 shows “Front left safety restraint system fault”. My car was not identify as having the recall applied but have the same issue the recall or warranty would resolve. My care is out of warranty and Tesla want to charge estimated $1,500 to resolve this issue. Tesla has this issues with all makes and models and is a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11537950, filed 2023-08Related recalls
- 24V376000May 28, 2024Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2023, Model S 2012–2024, Model X 2015–2024 +1 more
- 22V798000Oct 21, 2022Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2022
- 22V045000Feb 1, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2022, Model Y 2020–2022, Model S 2021–2022 +1 more
- 21V389000May 25, 2021Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2018–2020, Model Y 2019–2021
Related service bulletins
- 10143011May 2, 2018Certain Model 3 vehicles were manufactured with the upper bolt of each rear door lower hinge being longer than necessary. These bolts might rub against the front seat belt…
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 1% |
| 2023 | 10 | 2% |
| 2022 | 12 | 2% |
| 2021 | 15 | 2% |
| 2020 | 19 | 4% |
| 2019 | 57 | 9% |
| 2018 | 105 | 10% |
| 2017 | 6 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2018 Tesla Model 3
203 complaintsSuspension
191 complaintsOther or unknown
175 complaintsElectrical system
168 complaintsAir bags
143 complaintsVehicle speed control
91 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsSteering
82 complaintsSeats
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsBody and structure
60 complaintsLane departure
51 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology