Recall SB-21-20-001 – Front Seat Belts Not Securely Attached To B-Pillar – 2018-2020 Tesla Model 3 & 2019-2021 Model Y

May 25, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V389000

Front Seat Belts Not Securely Attached To B-Pillar

An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V389

Manufacturer TeslaeBay logo, Inc.

Components SEAT BELTS

Potential Number of Units Affected 5,530

 

Summary

TeslaeBay logo, Inc. (TeslaeBay logo) 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 the b-pillar may not be properly attached.

 

Remedy

TeslaeBay logo Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact TeslaeBay logo customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLAeBay logo (or 1-877-798-3752). TeslaeBay logo’s number for this recall is SB-21-20-001.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Tesla has a Recall

 


Condition

On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the 1st row LH and RH seatbelt D-ring to adjustable top loop bolt and/or adjustable top loop to B-pillar bolt may not have been secured to the correct specifications.

 

Correction

Inspect the vehicle for symptoms related to the condition. If symptoms are present, torque the fasteners to the correct specifications and, if necessary, repair the LH/RH B-pillar bolt hole thread(s), replace the LH/RH adjustable top loop(s), and/or replace the fasteners.

 

Procedure

  1. Release the LH B-pillar trim from the vehicle, and then set it aside (refer to Service Manual procedure 20051001; Model 3, Model Y).

 NOTE: The B-pillar trim is still attached to the seatbelt.

  1. Inspect the bolt that attaches the LH 1st row seatbelt retractor D-ring to the adjustable top loop.
    • If bolt threads are not visible between the retractor D-ring and adjustable top loop (Figure 1), the adjustable top loop does not require inspection; take note and skip to step 3

 NOTE: Visible bolt collar (Figure 1, yellow arrow) is expected.

  • If bolt threads are visible between the retractor D-ring and adjustable top loop (Figure 2, yellow arrow), the bolt and adjustable top loop bolt hole threads require inspection; take note and continue to step 3.

 

  1. Wiggle the LH adjustable top loop and inspect for a gap between the adjustable top loop and the B-pillar (Figure 3).

 

  • If the adjustable top loop does not wiggle and is tight against the B-Pillar, the B-pillar bolt hole threads do not require inspection; take note and skip to step 4.
  • If the adjustable top loop wiggles or is not flush against the B-pillar, the adjustable top loop bolt and B-pillar bolt hole threads require inspection; take note and skip to step 5.
  1. If steps 2 and 3 determine that no further inspection is required, torque both previously mentioned bolts (torque 20 Nm), take note, and skip to step 10. If further inspection is required, continue to step 5.
  2. If inspection is required, remove the bolt that attaches the LH 1st row seatbelt retractor D-ring to the adjustable top loop, and then set the retractor D-ring aside (Figure 4). If inspection is not required, skip to step 8.

 

  1. Inspect the bolt that attaches the LH 1st row seatbelt retractor D-ring to the adjustable top loop (Figure 5).

 

  • If any of the bolt threads are damaged, discard the bolt and procure a new bolt.
  • If none of the bolt threads are damaged, set the bolt aside for reuse.
  1. Inspect the LH 1st row seatbelt retractor D-ring to adjustable top loop bolt hole (Figure 6).

 

  • If the bolt hole threads are damaged, the adjustable top loop requires replacement; take note and skip to step 8.
  • If the bolt hole threads are undamaged, the adjustable top loop does not require replacement; take note and continue to step 8.
  1. If inspection is required, remove the bolt that attaches the LH adjustable top loop to the B-pillar (Figure 7) and inspect the B-Pillar bolt hole (Figure 8). If inspection is not required, skip to step 10.

 

  • If the B-pillar bolt hole threads are damaged, repair is required; take note and skip to step 9.
  • If the B-pillar bolt hole threads are not damaged, repair is not required; take note and continue to step 9.
  1. If the adjustable top loop is being reused, inspect the bolt that attaches the LH adjustable top loop to the B-pillar (Figure 9).

 

  • If any of bolt threads are damaged, remove and discard the clip that attaches the bolt to the adjustable top loop, discard the bolt, and install a new bolt.

 NOTE: The clip does not need reuse or replacement.

  • If none of the bolt threads are damaged, take note and set the adjustable top loop aside.
  1. Repeat steps 1–9 for the RH 1st row seatbelt, and after returning to this step, continue to step 11.
  2. Repair any damaged B-pillar bolt holes as instructed in section “B-pillar Repair”.
  3. Replace or reinstall the adjustable top loop(s) depending on the noted condition of the adjustable top loop bolt hole threads, and then install all components that were removed for access (refer to Service Manual procedure 20051001; Model 3, Model Y).

 NOTE: If upon inspection the seatbelt retractor D-ring bolt was undamaged, it can be reused.

 

B-Pillar Thread Repair

 NOTE: Refer to TN-15-92-001 for guidelines on using the thread repair kit.

  1. Use the 12 mm drill bit from the thread repair kit, with cutting oil, to drill out the damaged threads (Figure 10).

 WARNING: Wear safety glasses to protect from debris.

 CAUTION: Do not drill through the vehicle body. Only drill out the damaged threads.

  • NOTE: If necessary, start with a smaller drill bit.
  • NOTE: Back out and re-insert the drill bit as needed.

 

  1. Use the Heli-Coil tap, with cutting oil, to tap new threads on the B-pillar (Figure 11). Reapply cutting oil as needed.

 CAUTION: Make sure the tap remains perpendicular with the bolt hole.

 CAUTION: Do not tap past the weld collar nut. Refer to Figure 12 to visualize the depth of the weld collar nut.

  • NOTE: For every full rotation of the tap, back out ½ a turn to break off any metal shavings.
  • NOTE: If necessary, completely back out the tap to clean off excess debris.

 

  1. From the thread repair kit, obtain a Heli-Coil insert that matches the depth of the tapped threads.

 

  1. Position a Heli-Coil insert on a threaded handle, and then install the insert in the B-pillar (Figure 13).

CAUTION: Make sure the insert is flush with the surface of the B-pillar and that tapped threads are not visible past the insert (Figure 14).

 

  1. Use the tang break-off tool and a deadblow hammer to break the Heli-Coil tang (Figure 15).

 

  1. Clean up any excess cutting oil and metal shavings in the cabin.

 


IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 

 

NHTSA Recall Code: 21V-389

 

Dear TeslaeBay logo Owner,

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. TeslaeBay logo, Inc., has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year 2018-2020 Model 3 vehicles and Model Year 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle affected by this action.

 

REASON FOR THIS RECALL

One or both bolts that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached. An improperly attached bolt may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

 

WHAT TESLAeBay logo WILL DO

At no charge to you, TeslaeBay logo Service will inspect the bolts and adjust them to internal specification or replace them if necessary.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please schedule a service appointment through your TeslaeBay logo mobile app. Alternatively, if you wish to contact your nearest TeslaeBay logo Service Center or require technical assistance, please visit www.tesla.com/findus or call 1-877-79TESLA (1-877-798-3752). For awareness, the appointment will take approximately 15 minutes to perform both the inspection and repair, if necessary.

 

If you believe that TeslaeBay logo has failed or is unable to remedy this defect without charge or within a reasonable time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, by calling 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or by visiting www.safercar.gov.

 

Federal law requires any lessor who receives a notification of a determination of a noncompliance pertaining to any leased motor vehicle to send the notice to the lessee within 10 days.

Thank you for being a TeslaeBay logo customer. We are committed to ensuring that your vehicle provides the highest possible level of safety.

 

TESLAeBay logo, INC.

 



6 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
TESLAeBay logoMODEL 32018-2020
TESLAeBay logoMODEL Y2019-2021

 


7 Associated Documents

ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V389-1256.pdf 18.526KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V389-3898.pdf 803.9KB

 


Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V389-1228.PDF 214.871KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V389-7882.PDF 214.846KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V389-9519.pdf 752.803KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report

RCLQRT-21V389-4860.PDF 211.139KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V389-8928.PDF 211.251KB

 


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