TESLA MODEL 3 (2020) recall — Electrical System
Tesla is recalling 2020 Model 3 vehicles due to potential seat belt unawareness during crashes. This affects safety compliance with federal standards. Owners must update software to prevent injury risks.
Use caution until it’s fixed
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Tesla is recalling certain 2020 Model 3 vehicles because the car may not alert the driver if their seat belt is unfastened, increasing crash injury risk. This issue could lead to serious injury if the driver is not properly secured during a collision. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/80042-tesla-model-3-2020-recall-seat-belt-unawareness-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/80042-tesla-model-3-2020-recall-seat-belt-unawareness-risk · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #22V045000
Cite this page
“Tesla Model 3 (2020) Recall: Seat Belt Unawareness Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80042-tesla-model-3-2020-recall-seat-belt-unawareness-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #22V045000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V045000).
Why it’s dangerous
The vehicle's system may not produce an audible chime when starting if the driver hasn't buckled their seat belt. This means the driver could be unaware of an unfastened seat belt during a crash, potentially leading to injury.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles are affected. Drivers who may not be aware their seat belt is unfastened during a crash are at higher risk.
How to tell if you have this one
This recall applies to 2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. Owners received notification letters by April 1, 2022, and the recall number is SB-22-00-002.
- Brand
Tesla- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Update Software Now
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update to fix the seat belt awareness issue.
Contact Tesla Support
Owners can call Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 for assistance with the update.
What NHTSA says to do
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
Questions people ask
Why is this recall happening?
The vehicle may not alert the driver if their seat belt is unfastened when starting, which could lead to injury during a crash.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected?
This recall applies to 2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. Owners received notification letters by April 1, 2022.
What should I do if I own a recalled vehicle?
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update to fix the issue. Owners can also contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Contact Tesla
We’ve drafted a message you can send Tesla to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 22V045000 — Tesla Tesla Hello, I own a Tesla that is covered by recall 22V045000 from Tesla. The official recall notice states: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #22V045000 (January 2, 2022)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 4, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.