The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new probe into some 2022 and 2023 Tesla Model X vehicles. The agency received two reports from owners about defective front seat belts on the electric SUV.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was launched on March 24, 2023 and covers an estimated 50,000 Model X vehicles. According to the NHTSA the two Model X vehicles that prompted the investigation were delivered with front seat belts that had “insufficiently connected anchor linkages.”
“Tesla front seats incorporate outboard pretensioners secured to the seat frame. The pretensioner anchor is designed to be disconnected with a special tool. The two allegations indicate that the connection failure occurred at this point,” the NHTSA explained.
In both instances the NHTSA says the pretensioner and the linkage were not properly connected while the cars were being assembled. This improper connection created a “friction fit” that kept the pieces together, until they were separated when the amount of force exerted on the linkage was greater than the friction fit.
The NHTSA says this occurred while both vehicles were in motion, but neither were involved in a collision. No injuries were reported in either incident. The safety agency’s preliminary evaluation will look into the “scope, frequency, and manufacturing processes associated with this condition.”
This is the second ODI launched by the NHTSA involving Tesla this month. The agency is also looking into reports of Model Y steering wheels falling off while driving after also receiving two complaints from owners.
You can read the full report below. (via Investing)
INOA-PE23006-2061
