(NEWSnet/AP) — Tesla is recalling nearly 16,000 of its 2021-23 Model S and Model X vehicles because some front-row seat belts may not have been connected properly after repair.

Tesla said a first-row seat belt was disconnected from its pretensioner anchor as part of a step in the repair process. But the seat belt may not have been reconnected to the pretensioner anchor properly afterward. In such cases, it might not perform as designed in a collision.

In March, U.S. highway safety regulators opened an investigation into possible Tesla seat belt issues.

As of June 19, Tesla has identified 12 warranty claims related to the situation, but the company is not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths.

 

Notification letters will be mailed to owners who have vehicles related to the recall. Tesla said that it will perform free inspections and connect both first-row seat belts to their pretensioner anchors, as necessary. If the seat belt can’t be connected to the pretensioner anchor properly, the seat belt assembly will be replaced at no cost.

Tesla also announced it’s recalling more than 1,300 if its 2023 Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles due to a camera flaw.

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