TESLA has reacted quickly to a single report of a seat belt problem by recalling 90,000 of its Model S cars.
The prompt action has been seen as the luxury electric car manufacturer seeking to bolster its reputation within an industry still in turmoil over the VW emissions scandal.
Tesla customers were emailed and told: ‘Tesla recently found a Model S in Europe with a front seat belt that was not properly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
‘This vehicle was not involved in a crash and there were no injuries. However, in the event of a crash, a seat belt in this condition would not provide full protection.’
The Palo Alto, California-based company said it had not found any other issues, but wants owners to bring their cars in to make sure the seat belts are properly connected.
They are being advised to book an appointment for the inspections. Any necessary repair would take around six minutes, the company said.
‘In early November, a customer sitting in the front passenger seat turned to speak with occupants in the rear and the seat belt became disconnected,’ a Tesla spokesperson said.
‘The seat belt is anchored to the outboard lap pretensioner through two anchor plates that are bolted together. The bolt that was supposed to tie the two anchors together wasn’t properly assembled.’
With just the one confirmed incident, Tesla may not have been required to do a recall, but that isn’t what drives the company’s decision-making, said Diarmuid O’Connell, the company’s vice president for business development.
‘Our North Star for these things is what’s right for the customer,’ he told the Automotive Press Association.
Tesla issued a recall two years ago for Model S cars manufactured between May 10 and June 8, 2013. The company also recalled all its Model 2 and 2.5 Roadsters in 2010 after a single incident in which a cable shorted out.
The Roadster and the Model X SUV aren’t affected by the current recall.
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