Seats Problems of Tesla Model 3 - part 2

Since leasing this car in April of 2025, it has been services 8 times totaling over 30 days of down time. The issues occured in order from oldest to newest/current: may of 2025 - headliner trim falling down, unsuccessfully repaired by mobile technician June of 2025 - windows stopped working. Center console door stopped shutting. Headliner still falling down. July of 2025 - front wiring harness melted and took out the ac - the car didn't provide a single warning. The ac just stopped working. Passenger seat replaced for cosmetic defect August of 2025 - continued issues with ac and turn signal buttons December of 2025 - steering wheel rattle and clunking, suspension noises June of 2025 - suspension still rough and making grinding noises, turn signal buttons still not functioning consistently, front passenger fold down mirror shattered because the passenger seat calibration allows it to slide into the mirror. Tesla has shown zero empathy towards any of these issues. A buyback was requested, but the offer would have left us without a car and with a huge pay off. We asked for help moving into another car, and we are ghosted.

See all problems of the 2025 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

Started getting intermittent rcm_a056 faults stating "front passenger safety restraint system fault". Apparently this can be a safety issue as the airbag may not deploy and seems to be a common issue reported by owners. Tesla is charging owners to fix this safety issue, which in some cases is completely replacing the full seat and airbags. Instead, this should be covered under recall or bulletin fix.

See all problems of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

Around February or March of 2025, my Tesla Model 3 (year 2019) began to flag an electronic warning for a passenger occupancy sear sensor and recommended immediate service. The sensor and warning did not stay on and would only appear intermittently. I still decided to service the vehicle and took the car to the manufacturer service center closest to me in may 2025. I was quoted for $500-$600 to repair the sensors. Later the quote was updated to over $1,200 because the new sensor was “not compatible” with the old air bag. It seems like Tesla intentionally or knowing used an updated sensor either because the old sensor was known to have issues or because of refreshed models but then did not ensure they used a part that worked with their existing model cars. This seems like a major safety issue and requires customers to pay twice their expected repair cost in order to ensure basic required safety functions work on a 6 year old car. I clarified with the service advisor that if I did not replace the airbag that they would not deploy in a collision and they affirmed my understanding which forces me to have to replace the airbags on a 6 year old vehicle for no reason other than Tesla’s poor safety planning.

Passenger safety restraint system fault error appears on and off without any correlation to driving conditions or passenger presence. This error is potentially deadly since it will cause the passenger airbag not to deploy in an accident.

See all problems of the 2022 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

My pant leg got caught on the plastic seat trim under the seat. Kept my leg trapped so I fell out of the car on the ground in the parking lot. Happened again the same day, but I caught myself before I fell. The incident caused a hole and rip in my clothing, but the rest of my body went to the ground leaving my knee and other leg caught until the end. Had a different outfit on today and it caught again! I did not fall this time either. The time I did fall I hyperextended my wrist and landed on my hip and leg, creating bruising and a sore pelvis, knee and back. Went to massage therapist soon after. Currently, following up with doctor.

See all problems of the 2023 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while opening the doors of the vehicle, the driver's side seat back unintendedly reclined and pressed down on the rear seat, causing the cushion to become deformed. The contact manually used the seat controls to return the seat to an upright position. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and only occurred while the doors were opened. A Tesla service center was contacted; however, an appointment was not scheduled for diagnostic test. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

See all problems of the 2018 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

Hello. I am following up with the previous safety report I submitted for my vehicle. I just received an updated repair estimate citing the parts that will need replaced (pdf attached). I also confirmed with the service advisor that the functionality of the safety restraint system may be impacted by this issue, however, Tesla still wants to charge drivers $1,300 for this repair.

See all problems of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

There is a warning on my car saying “front passenger safety restraint system fault”. The Tesla service center says the fix requires an air bag replacement and to replace the seat sensor. Does this not impact the safety of the passenger? this is the second Model 3 I’ve owned that continuously has this fault. I feel like this model should be recalled since it is such a widespread issue. I dealt with this warning light for 2-3 years because Tesla wants to charge >$1,000 for the replacement of these parts. I’m definitely not the only one. There are plenty of complaints online and most people never get it fixed if the vehicle is out of warranty. On the other hand, some people try to fix the problem themselves which could create a worse problem for the safety restraints system.

Tesla is aware of a common regarding an occupancy sensor in the passenger seat of their vehicles that impacts functionality of airbags and the restraint system. The error code is rcm_a056. A simple search of the code will show a myriad of ongoing issues with their vehicles.

Passenger safety restraint system fault is occurring and Tesla service has noted this is a very common issue on the vehicles. It poses a risk to whoever is sitting in the seat since safety systems may not work or deploy airbags.

Passenger safety restraint system light came on, Tesla says to fix needs to install OCS filter module and replace existing OCS sensor because its not compatible with existing OCS sensor. . . Cost is $806. . . . There are no broken parts in my car. According to Teslas service bulletin Sep 21, 2020 this problem is caused by electrical interference in the seat harness causing the airbag restrain system message on screen due to faulty design. . . . . Tesla says I need to pay for it because car is out of warranty, I say its a faulty design and they have to fix free. This should be a recall because Tesla is aware of many of same problems that make the airbag inoperable. From the bulletin "on some Model 3 and model y vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) signal might be affected by electrical interference in the seat harness, causing the airbag indicator to display on the touchscreen. " Tesla has been aware of the problem for 4 years at least.

Back and buttocks area suffered electrical burns and pain from Tesla seat heaters (in heated seats) twice 1. Happened in 2024 on temperature level 3 2 although I turned it down it happened again in 2025 on temperature level 2.

See all problems of the 2020 Tesla Model 3 🔎.

The rear camera on my Tesla intermittently fails when shifting into reverse. Additionally, the rear trunk will not open using the in-car release button, mobile app, or key fob. A warning appears stating the function will return on the next drive, but I am often forced to use the emergency release to access the trunk. I believe this may be related to a prior recall involving the rear trunk harness, but when checking my VIN, no active recalls appear. Tesla service also reports no recalls on file. I am also receiving an intermittent fault message regarding the front passenger safety restraint system, stating that service is required. This is a serious concern, as a malfunctioning restraint system may fail to protect occupants in the event of a crash. Tesla has given me an estimate of $225. 00 to address the safety restraint fault and $495. 27 to repair the trunk/rear camera issues, with a total cost of $739. 60 including taxes. I believe that safety-related repairs, especially those involving airbag and restraint systems, should be covered by the manufacturer and not passed on to the vehicle owner when not due to misuse or damage. The passenger restraint fault poses a direct safety hazard in a crash. The rear camera issue, while less severe, still impacts safety, as the camera provides a wider and clearer view than mirrors alone. I am asking NHTSA to review whether these issues are safety defects and whether they may be connected to known problems or recalls not applied to my vehicle.

I was driving my vehicle. It said there was an issue with code "rcm_a056 front passenger safety restraint system fault. " many older Model 3's are having this issue and with the quote from Tesla, they would need to perform a retrofit for the electrical wiring system.

Rear seat safety restraint system fault.

Error code rcm_a021 front left safety restraint system fault. An issue that arises purely due to poor seat design. It is the fault of the seat pinching a wire from moving back and forth. This safety issue is an inevitability and not a one off chance. This issue is publicly noted on forms throughout all the years of this car’s production. This error results in airbags not being properly deployed in the event of an accident and the car not properly reading the passenger occupancy.

I am submitting a complaint regarding an unresolved safety issue with the front passenger restraint system in my 2019 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [xxx] ). Since February 2024, I have encountered recurring alerts for this system, despite multiple service visits to address it. Service history and concerns: the initial repair attempt on February 27, 2024, involved Tesla replacing the occupant classification system (OCS) filter module. However, the alert returned shortly after, showing the issue was not resolved. On October 14, 2024, I returned to Tesla, where they quoted $1,800 for further repairs, claiming my general warranty was expired. Their records indicate that this failure directly impacts the front passenger’s safety restraint, making it a serious defect. During a follow-up visit on October 23, 2024, the issue was confirmed but left unaddressed unless I paid out-of-pocket. This recurring fault poses a critical safety risk, as a defective restraint system compromises passenger protection in a crash. Tesla’s refusal to provide coverage, despite prior similar recalls for restraint systems, suggests a pattern of shifting safety costs onto consumers. I request the NHTSA to investigate this fault’s prevalence and require Tesla to provide a remedy that upholds passenger safety. Thank you for your attention to this serious issue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Car has a passenger safety restraint fault, got quote to replace a sensor for $455 parts and labor. When reading online, this appears to be a common failure in these vehicles and if you don't get repaired, air bags / seat belt restraint may not work properly. Seems like should be a recall for this.

Front left safety restraint system fault alert which requires service from Tesla service center. Tesla is charging $360 before taxes to fix this issue which seems to be an ongoing issue for many Tesla owners. The cost should be on the company since it’s a safety concern.

Front left safety restraint system fault/service is required.

Got this warning on my Tesla Model 3. Front passenger safety restraint system fault will get it fixed at appt on Monday had the exact same issue on our model y. Also happened to my friend's Tesla. It is all over the internet. I think a recall should be issued and the warranty extended to ten years for this issue on all existing Teslas.

There have been a number of Tesla’s coming back to the dealership due to a left or right pseat restraint error, which is the seat restraint module failure or even pinched wires that have not been secured properly during manufacturing. This is a safety issue that Tesla needs to correct as they are charging customers between $460 and $1500 to be repaired and these faults end up coming back time after time. Any other car manufacturer would replace on a recall.

Concern: I see the error message on my screen like restraint system fault require service. When I contacted Tesla for sevice repair I got an estimate which includes following fixes for a charge of 1,804. 02. They are not covering for this saying the car is out of warranty. Seems like Tesla is aware of this issue and impacting many other Tesla's for 1) first row seat harness assembly - right hand(1489060- 03-g) 2) first row - seat belt reminder sensor box clip(1130363-00-b) 3)correction: replace front passenger airbag and update vehicle configuration - remove and replace.

Got warning about front drivers safety restraint failure on screen. Airbag warning began to display on the side showing if an accident occurred, they would not deploy. Talked with Tesla representatives and was told this is a known issue but would not be covered. Seems to be faulty wiring from chair moving over time based on what I was able to read. Error code was rcm_a021.

Rcm_a021 front left safety restraint system fault rcm_a056 front passenger safety restraint system fault I have been noticing this error on my Tesla Model 3. Also, I researched on it and found out numerous people are having same problem. So, since it’s safety related issue there should be recall to fix it.

Seat sensor error. "front left safety restraint system fault" car was still under warranty when the right seat fault happened. Clearly an issue with Tesla since there are many reports out "restraint system fault".

My car has been having this issue since it was purchased in 2018. An alert appears on the screen which says, "front passenger safety restraint system fault/service is required. " I had the car serviced four times by Tesla under warranty. It has now appeared a fifth time and Tesla says the airbags need to be replaced for over $1,600. The prior repairs included replacing wiring harnesses and occupancy sensor.

I randomly received an alert indicating “front passenger safety restraint system fault” on my Tesla’s display. When I look this up, it indicates that the airbag may not deploy correctly in the event of an accident due to a seat sensor malfunction. When I contacted the service center, they quoted me at $1500 to repair this critical safety issue (involves replacing the seat sensor and reconfiguring airbags so that they will properly deploy). I believe this should be a recall and not something customers have to pay out of pocket to drive their car safely.

Error message from Tesla: front passenger safety restraint system fault. Potentially impaired airbag deployment for passenger. Tesla fixed it under warranty in 2021. The issue is appearing again and I am out of warranty. The car will warn me once every 15 minutes (very annoying).

Safety issue: got a "front passenger safety restraint system fault" (code rcm_a056) out of a sudden. Apparently, the passenger's occupied-seat sensor is not communicating with the system, leading to potential hazard in airbag deployment scenario. Upon reaching out to the Tesla service center, got a quote for $1600, which includes a replacement not only of the passenger's seat sensor, but there's also a need to replace the airbag - to maintain compatibility with the new sensor. Upon additional research, I've discovered that this is not merely wear and tear; some owners reported that this error appears on brand new cars. In short, Tesla is requiring customers to pay $1600 to cover a design failure that could result in a safety / injury. The company should be held liable to its errors, not customers.

My vehicle displays a persistent warning: “front left safety restraint system fault. ” a technician told me this fault relates to the driver seat sensor and is the same defect addressed by a previous NHTSA recall. However, I’ve confirmed that my VIN was not included in that recall. Despite the recall fix being implemented for some vehicles, my car still has this safety restraint fault with no resolution offered. This ongoing problem concerns me because it affects the proper functioning of the vehicle’s safety system, and I fear that my vehicle’s defect remains unaddressed. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue, as it appears the recall did not cover all affected vehicles and that Tesla’s recall scope may be insufficient.

Occupant classification system (OCS) for front passenger seat kept alerting while driving both with and without any person or object in the seat. I contacted Tesla service center and they stated that the occupant classification system (OCS) and the front passenger airbag require replacement, otherwise the front passenger airbags will not function properly in a collision. I asked if this was a recall or covered by warranty, and they said no.

I started getting this alert on my screen a few weeks ago: rcm_a056 "front passenger safety restraint system fault" service required. Tesla says the warranty only covered this issue up to 60,000 miles and I'm at 61,000. They are quoting like $2,000 to fix. They say they have to change something in the seat (sensor) and change the air bag since new sensor is not compatible with old airbag. Looked up issue and it seems to be common happening at before and after warranty for a lot of people. I see different quotes from $500 to $2000 (mine was the highest). This should be a safety recall. I do not suspect too many people getting this fixed on their own their due to the expense.

Seat weight sensor does not always work. This results in the car putting itself into park while reversing / driving at low speeds. This also results in the car both not booting up / shitting down correctly depending on if it thinks someone is in the car.

Getting a "front left safety restraint fault" warning when moving the driver seat. . . Is a known issue in Tesla forums where the seat wiring harness is not secured properly and either a wire is crimped by the seat mechanicals or a wiring harness is pulled loose. . .