US Highway Safety Regulators Probe Tesla Seat Belt Issues for Model X SUVs

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched yet another investigation into Tesla vehicles, this time focusing on complaints that the seat belts may not hold people in a crash, as per a report from AP.

50,000 Model X SUVs

According to the NHTSA, around 50,000 Model X SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years are being investigated following two complaints from Tesla owners that the front seat belts were not properly connected at the factory.

The agency says that the belt linkage and pretensioner, which tighten the belts before a crash, are anchored to the seat frames. Both complaints allege that the linkage and pretensioner separated from the frames when the vehicles were in motion, but neither incident involved a crash.

This investigation into safety issues could result in product recalls, which is not the first time that the NHTSA has looked into Tesla's safety record.

In addition, the agency is currently investigating reports of incidents dating back to 2020, including issues with Tesla's partially automated driving system, such as braking for no reason or colliding with emergency vehicles, and complaints about sudden steering wheel disconnection and suspension component failures.

TeslaCam Captures an Incident

Despite these safety concerns, some Tesla owners maintain trust in their vehicles. One such example occurred recently, in which a Tesla driver claimed that the Autopilot system prevented the vehicle from colliding with a detached wheel following a car accident.

The incident was captured on TeslaCam, a built-in dashcam that uses Autopilot cameras to record the car's surroundings in case of an emergency.

TeslaCam has previously helped police investigations and demonstrated Tesla's safety features, including capturing footage of a Tesla Model 3 collision with a truck and of a car being keyed in a parking lot.

However, Tesla's safety record is not without controversy. For instance, in April 2022, a Tesla in autonomous driving mode crashed into a private jet at a US airport, leading to concerns about the safety of Tesla's Autopilot system.

In addition, a 2022 report revealed that 70% of accidents involving advanced driver assistance systems included at least one Tesla between July 2021 and July 2022.

Despite these safety concerns, Tesla remains a popular choice for those seeking electric vehicles with advanced features. However, it remains to be seen whether Tesla can address these safety issues and continue to innovate in the EV market.