Tesla “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault”- Fixed

The most common cause of the error message “front passenger safety restraint system fault” displayed on your Tesla screen is an unbuckled seat belt or faulty battery wiring. This issue can also arise due to a malfunctioning front passenger seat sensor, airbag sensor, or water leakage. To resolve this problem, you can try reconnecting the battery, replacing the sensor, or inspecting for any damages that might require repairs. You should visit your local service center for further assistance if the issue persists.

The safety restraint system fault can make your Tesla vehicle wrongly assume that you aren’t wearing your seat belt, so you won’t be able to use cruise or autopilot. When this issue happens, some think it’s a software bug, while others conclude that the affected seat should be replaced.

The first time I had to deal with a recurring “front passenger safety restraint system fault” message on the screen was on my Model 3, which was almost a year old. I solved the issue by carrying out a few DIY fixes but eventually had to consult Tesla’s support service to be sure.

In this article, I will walk you through all the possible causes and solutions to the front passenger safety restraint system fault.

Don’t panic; It’s a popular problem.

The most common cause of this alert is to notify you when you are not wearing seatbelts.

Apart from the banging sounds and error messages on the screen, the effect of the alert is that passengers won’t be able to use the autopilot mode or cruise.

You’re not alone if you get this alert on a false occasion. This message started popping up a few years ago, and users even face this issue in their new cars. 

On this particular Tesla Owners forum, close to a hundred Tesla owners testify that the message erroneously comes up due to loose wiring under the seat, water splashing on the seat, and other factors.

6 Solutions To Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault

In the vast majority of cases, it is the seatbelt sensor wire that is misaligned. As a result, the wire was likely pinched like this from the factory and only got worse with the use or movement of the seat. 

But apart from the issue of some sensor malfunction that requires a service kit, there are other trivial culprits to this false alarm that you can fix without calling your local service center.

Here are the five common ways to troubleshoot front passenger safety restraint system fault errors.

1. Move the car seat and reset the software
2. Check for water splash on the front passenger car seat
3. Turn on the seat heater to rule out the water splash culprit
4. Remove a rear-facing child restraint system from the front passenger seat
5. Troubleshoot airbag malfunction
6. Contact service center

Move the Car Seat and Reset the Software 

When the “front passenger safety restraint fault” message pops up on your screen, the first line of action you can take is to inspect the seat.

Try moving them forward and backward. You would be surprised to see that an attempt as mundane as such would solve the problem.

If nothing happens, the problem comes from connections under the seat. 

So, turn off the car for at least 5 minutes, then turn it on and reset the software. I

If nothing happens, we’re looking in the wrong place.

Check for Water Splashes on The Front Passenger Seat.

Another common cause of the safety restraint system fault notification is when water splashes on the seat of your Tesla car.

As you already know, your Tesla has advanced technologies and software; a water splash can cause something as alarming as this issue.

The fault message could pop up on the screen whenever the front passenger seat gets wet, so look out for this.

Turn on The Seat Heater to Rule out The Water Splash Culprit.

When you can’t see any sign of water splashing, turn on the seat heater feature to rule out this possibility.

In some cases, Tesla owners only had to turn on the seat heater to dry off the water spill for about 10 minutes, and then the message disappeared.

Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Click on the temperature at the bottom of the touchscreen 

• Step 2: Access the climate control screen.

• Step 3: Touch the icon for the passenger seat.

• Step 4: Adjust the temperature level (the highest is three while the lowest is 1). 

Alternatively, you can dry a wet seat using a hair dryer. 

Remove a Rear-Facing Child Restraint System from The Front Passenger Seat.

Using a rear-facing child restraint system in the front passenger seat could sometimes trigger the “front passenger safety restraint fault” alert.

The rear-facing child restraint system could also be obstructing the airbag system.

Ensure the seat is installed at the rear outboard seat.

Troubleshoot an Airbag Malfunction.

Another common reason behind the front passenger safety restraint fault alert is an obstruction to the airbag, which can be interpreted as a malfunction.

Ensure there’s no obstruction with your arm or even the seat cover.

In some cases, the airbag malfunction is beyond the ordinary eye, and you may need the attention of a technician from the Tesla service center to inspect the situation appropriately.

When all else fails, contact the service center.

Contact the Service Center (the Most Recommended Tip).

When you get the Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault message, it tells you something severe is wrong with the seat belt.

As you probably already know, your Tesla seats have wiring underneath, and this alert may show when something is wrong under the seat. 

Suppose you need more confidence in doing technical troubleshooting and taking out fuses. In that case, it is best to take the car to the Tesla repair center and wait, especially if, after all the trials, you still don’t know how big or small the issue is. 

Most of the time, the whole seat needs replacement, and you can only do that DIY if you are very experienced.

What’s the cost of fixing the “front passenger safety restraint fault”?

If the entire seat or airbag had to be replaced to fix your Tesla’s front passenger safety restraint fault, expect to pay as much as $2000. The actual cost would ultimately depend on the affected part. 

To get a precise estimate of how much it would cost you, it is best to contact the Tesla service center. Only after a diagnosis of the issue can a price be fixed.

However, you will spend $0 fixing the issue if your vehicle is still under warranty. Conversely, expect to shell out cash if you exceed the factory insurance limit.

How long will it take to fix front passenger safety restraint faults?

When you book an appointment with the Tesla service center to fix the front passenger safety restraint fault on your car, it can take between one and two weeks to have it done. 

However, the actual servicing may take only 10 minutes, depending on what is damaged or what needs to be replaced.

In the meantime, you can use another car or public transportation.