U.S. agency opens probe into 50,000 Tesla Model X vehicles over front seat belts

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A Tesla Model X electric car is seen at the Brussels Motor Show, Belgium, January 9, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. auto safety regulators said Tuesday they are opening a probe into 50,000 Tesla (NASDAQ:) Model X vehicles after receiving two complaints reporting front seat belt failures.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the preliminary evaluation covers 2022-2023 model year vehicles over reports of failures of the front seat belt to remain connected to the seat belt anchor pretensioner while driving.

Both newer vehicles had insufficiently connected anchor linkages and neither incident involved vehicle collision with occupants wearing seat belts and, the agency said.

Tesla, which has disbanded its press office, did not respond to a request for comment.

In one complaint from Larkspur, California, a Tesla was moving at around 10 to 15 miles per hour and the auto braking system activated when the driver’s door on a large truck parked on the side of the street opened unexpectedly.

“With the sudden deceleration, my upper body flung forward and the force of my weight caused the seat belt anchor on the lower seat to detach completely,” a complaint filed with the NHTSA said.

After the NHTSA opens a preliminary evaluation, it must decide whether to upgrade it to an engineering analysis before it can demand a recall.