After discovering two potential safety problems, Tesla has issued two separate recalls.
One recall covers 5,530 vehicles, comprising 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y cars. The automaker said fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
The other recall covers 2,166 Model Y vehicles from 2019-2021. That recall was issued because fasteners that secure the left and right second-row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.
In a filing with the National Traffic Safety Administration, the electric car maker said assembly-line workers may have erroneously loosened properly secured bolts after attaching them.
The company isn’t currently aware of any accidents or injuries connected to either of the defects. However, the company said that in “very rare circumstances” a loose or separated fastener could cause problems.
“If a fastener becomes loose enough or separates from the knuckle such that the caliper makes contact with the inner surface of the wheel rim, the wheel may be prevented from freely rotating, which may cause loss of tire pressure and may increase the risk of a crash,” the automaker said in the filing.
Servicing affected vehicles
Tesla said it will inspect owners’ fasteners to ensure that they are secured properly. If they aren’t, the company will replace them at no charge.
“In the unlikely event that damage to the b-pillar hole threads and/or top loop is found during the inspection, Tesla Service will repair the hole threads and/or replace the top loop," the company added.
Tesla has now issued a total of three recalls this week. On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Tesla was recalling 5,974 U.S. 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The company told the NHTSA that some vehicles’ brake caliper bolts could be loose, which could cause a loss of tire pressure. Tesla’s biggest recall to date has covered Model S and Model X vehicles with touchscreen issues.
Tesla owners with questions can contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 and reference the recall number SB-21-33-002 for more information.