Tesla recalls nearly 8,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over faulty seat belts

• Tesla is issuing two recalls that cover nearly 8,000 vehicles with potentially faulty seat belts.
• One recall covers vehicles with front seat belts that may be improperly secured to the body.
• This week, Tesla said it's recalling nearly 6,000 cars with potentially loose brake caliper bolts.

Tesla is recalling nearly 8,000 vehicles over potentially faulty seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The two new recalls mean Tesla has issued three recalls this week.

One recall covers certain 2018-2020 Model 3 sedans, along with certain 2019-2021 Model Y crossovers. That recall covers 5,530 vehicles with front seat belts that may be improperly secured to the b-pillar (the vertical section between a car's front and rear windows).

The second covers 2,166 2019-2021 Model Ys where the second-row seat belt retractors may be improperly fastened to the car's body. Both occurred due to problems fastening seat-belt components to the correct torque specification during manufacturing.

Tesla's share price was down roughly 1% in early trading on Thursday, continuing a months-long selloff after an epic 2020 rally. The stock has declined 3.5% over the last five days and some 12.5% in the last month.

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Given that they could affect how seat belts perform in a crash, both issues could heighten a passenger's risk of injury, Tesla said. The automaker told NHTSA that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries that happened as a result of either defect.

A recall does not necessarily mean that all vehicles involved are defective. It just means that Tesla is offering to inspect the vehicles and make any necessary repairs at its service centers.

On Wednesday, NHTSA said Tesla had decided to recall 5,974 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over brake caliper bolts that could loosen over time and cause a loss of tire pressure in rare circumstances.

Safety recalls aren't the only thing contributing to a tumultuous week for Tesla.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the US Securities and Exchange Commission notified Tesla multiple times that it was failing to police Elon Musk's tweets. A 2018 settlement between Musk, Tesla, and the agency stipulated that Tesla lawyers approve any of Musk's tweets relating to Tesla's business.