Tesla is widely known for issuing recalls in the United States, but it typically resolves such issues through convenient over-the-air (OTA) software updates, eliminating the need for drivers to visit service centers. However, its most recent recall deviates from that pattern. This time, affected owners will be required to physically bring their vehicles to a Tesla store or authorized service center to have the issue addressed. What makes this recall particularly notable is that it involves the newly released 2026 models of the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 — vehicles that have only recently begun rolling off the production line.
According to a recent safety report, the issue lies in the assembly of the front seats. Specifically, one or more fasteners that connect the seat back to the seat base might not have been properly torqued during the manufacturing process. As a result, some owners could experience a loose or rattling seat, which may compromise the vehicle’s safety in the event of a collision. This prompted intervention from both Tesla and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), leading to the decision to initiate a formal recall due to the potential risk to driver and passenger safety.
Fortunately, the scale of the recall is quite limited compared to most Tesla recalls. It affects just 48 vehicles in total within the U.S. market. Of these, only around 2.1% are believed to actually contain the defect. The breakdown includes 30 units of the 2026 Tesla Model Y produced between April 3 and May 7, 2025, and 18 units of the 2026 Tesla Model 3 built between April 3 and April 16, 2025. The NHTSA’s findings indicate that the defect could involve the driver’s seat, the front passenger seat, or both, depending on the individual vehicle.
Tesla first became aware of a potential issue on May 12, 2025, following a customer complaint. Upon investigating the claim, Tesla discovered that two out of the four required fasteners securing the driver's seat back to the seat base were entirely absent. The company quickly traced the root cause to a production update implemented on April 2, 2025. This change allowed seat assemblies to be moved forward manually from a backup manual assembly station without the system verifying whether the fasteners were installed or torqued correctly.
Owners of affected vehicles will begin receiving notification letters starting August 16, 2025. Tesla’s service technicians have been directed to inspect the relevant seat components and replace any missing or incorrectly installed fasteners to ensure the vehicle meets proper safety standards.