A manufacturing error will have the owners of certain 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y all-electric SUVs, returning to their dealerships for an inspection and possibly repairs. The second-row seat frame in these vehicles may have been improperly secured.
Tesla first became aware of the problem in December 2022 when an operator in Tesla’s Freemont, CA manufacturing facility identified a second-row driver-side seat back frame bolt that was not torqued to the proper specification.
The second-row seat belt loads go through the lower seat frame, and if the bolts that secure the frame to the seat backs are not torqued to specifications, the seat belt system may not perform as designed during a collision. Occupants seated in the second-row seating positions could experience an increase in the risk of injury during an accident.
According to the defect report, on some Model Y vehicles, the second-row driver-side seat back frame (second-row driver-side and center seating positions) and the second-row passenger-side seat back frame (second-row passenger-side seating position) are secured to the lower seat frame with 4 bolts per seat back. During the supplier’s production of both seat back frames for certain Model Y vehicles, one or more of the bolts that secure the seat back frames to the lower seat frame may not have been torqued to specifications.
Tesla has identified 5 warranty claims, received between December 9, 2022, and February 14, 2023, that may be related to the problem described above. Tesla is not aware of any injuries or deaths that may be related to the condition.
Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Tesla Service Centers to have the second-row seat back frames inspected and the bolts will be torqued. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-23-13-001 and the NHTSA Campaign Number is 23V-130.
If you are the unfortunate owner of a lemon like a Tesla Model Y all-electric SUV with persistent defects that the manufacturer is unable to fix, you may feel like you are out of options. However, there is hope: the California Lemon Law provides some protections for owners of defective vehicles, and a lemon law lawyer can help you navigate the process.
A lemon law lawyer can help you understand your rights under the California Lemon Law and negotiate with the manufacturer on your behalf. They can also help you prepare and submit a claim to the manufacturer and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to protect your rights. Lemon law cases can be complex, and having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
If you are having repeated problems with your Tesla Model Y and you think it could be a Lemon, or if you have any questions about your rights under the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 1-888-395-3666 or fill in the “Case Review” form at the top of this page, and get some great Lemon Law advice!
