Tesla Model X seat belt probe officially closed by U.S. regulator

Following a preliminary investigation by a U.S. auto safety regulator into the Tesla Model X and its seat belts last year, along with a subsequent recall, the agency has officially concluded its probe this week.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declared on Monday the closure of its preliminary investigation into 50,000 Model X units potentially affected by front seat belt issues. This decision follows a recall issued by both the company and the agency last July, affecting approximately 16,000 Model S and X units. The agency also stated its readiness to take further action if necessary in the future.

The NHTSA highlighted in its announcement on Monday that Tesla, in its recall filing, outlined updated procedures effective June 22, 2023. These procedures involve additional visual aids to assist technicians and a pull test-step to confirm proper reconnection of the first-row seat belt to the pretensioner anchor.

"In view of the recall action and process updates taken by Tesla, ODI is closing this PE. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances," the agency stated.

During the initial probe, the NHTSA documented two complaints received by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) regarding front seat belt failures from Model X owners. Upon initiating the recall, the agency indicated that affected Tesla Model S and X units would require the front seat belt pretensioner anchor to be disconnected and reconnected or would necessitate the replacement of the entire assembly.

In recent weeks, several other NHTSA probes into Tesla’s vehicles have been resolved, including issues causing the loss of a rearview camera display and concerns regarding the company’s Autopilot system. The latter faced a recall in December, requiring certain text in the user interface to be enlarged. Tesla promptly addressed the issue with a software update, although some attention was drawn to the fact that the recall applied to over two million vehicles for a relatively minor issue.

Despite closing the Autopilot investigation, the NHTSA has requested further information about the system from Tesla, with a deadline for response set for July 1. This information primarily pertains to the number of hands-on-wheel warnings drivers receive when using Autopilot, as well as "design decisions regarding the company’s decision to increase the strictness of driver attentiveness requirements when approaching traffic controls off-highway."