Child seats and rear door child locks

Start with the seat and seating position

Choose a restraint for the child’s height and weight and follow its manufacturer’s instructions. Then check the compatibility table for the exact vehicle year, model, and seating position in the Tesla manual. ISOFIX availability does not mean every seat fits. For example, Model 3 manuals list ISOFIX/i‑Size on the rear outboard positions, not the front passenger or rear center seat. Model Y layouts depend on seating configuration; the seven-seat version has separate limits for the third row.

Check both the attachment and the airbag

Follow the restraint manufacturer’s instructions and the vehicle compatibility table: installation may use the seat belt or ISOFIX/i-Size anchors, with a top tether where specified. Check the attachment using the restraint maker’s procedure. Never seat a child in the front passenger seat with the passenger frontal airbag active; this is especially dangerous with a rear-facing restraint. If the front position is permitted for that restraint and country, follow the vehicle manual and confirm the passenger frontal airbag status is OFF before driving. If the displayed status does not match the selected setting, contact Service. When an adult uses the front seat again, restore the airbag state required for an adult according to the manual.

Enable the child lock separately

A rear door child lock and a rear seat movement lock are different functions. The Model 3 and Model Y manuals checked here enable rear door child locks on the screen under Controls > Locks > Child Lock; you can select both doors or one. The 2025+ Model Y manual separately describes a front-screen control that prevents rear seats from folding or reclining. Do not assume this menu path or feature exists on another year without checking.

Check the setup before each trip

Before driving, confirm that ISOFIX latches are fully engaged, belts and any upper tether follow the seat maker’s instructions, and the child lock is on for the intended door. If a child seat is behind the driver, check the exact manual’s Easy Entry warning: Tesla cautions that automatic movement of the driver’s seat rearward could affect the child or dislodge the seat. When uncertain, compare the vehicle compatibility table, the child seat instructions, and local requirements.

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