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VW Group set to 'recall up to 28,000' Volkswagens and Seats over seatbelt issue

The firm says it has identified a "feasible technical solution" after tests found a rear seatbelt can come undone at high speed.

Friday 11 May 2018 15:28, UK

Volkswagen Polos could be recalled after tests found a problem with its rear seatbelts
Image: Volkswagen Polos could be recalled after tests found a problem with rear seatbelts
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Volkswagen and Seat could be about to recall tens of thousands of cars over fears of malfunctioning seatbelts.

The move by German firm VW Group, which owns the brands, would affect up to 28,000 recently sold Seat Aronas, Seat Ibizas, and Volkswagen Polos.

Tekniikan Maailma, a Finnish motoring magazine, carried out tests that uncovered a safety issue when three people are sat in the back of the car at high speed.

The middle seatbelt buckle can flick up the left seatbelt buckle, which would leave the passenger unprotected.

The VW Group is reportedly considering issuing a global safety recall.

The VW Group's recently sold Seat Ibiza models are also part of the affected recall
Image: The VW Group's recently sold Seat Ibiza models are also part of the affected recall

A spokesman for the German firm said: "Based on the analysis made at our factory we have identified the seatbelt issue that Tekniikan Maailma has found in the tests.

"At Volkswagen, safety remains a main priority and we immediately reacted to solve the issue.

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"As a consequence, a feasible technical solution has been identified.

"Volkswagen is now waiting for the concerned authorities' final validation in order to implement it, both on the customers' cars and on the future series production."

A spokeswoman for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in the UK said the recall has not yet been issued.

The body has contacted VW Group in relation to the seatbelts and is awaiting a response.

A Finnish motoring magazine tested Seat Aronas and found they have the seatbelt malfunction
Image: The seatbelt malfunction could also affect Seat Arona models

The manufacturer was found to have cheated air pollution tests for 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide in September 2015, including nearly 1.2 million in the UK.

Earlier this week it emerged that another German company, BMW, is recalling 312,000 UK vehicles at risk of an electrical fault linked to a fatal crash.

The BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, Z4 and X1 petrol and diesel models made between March 2007 and August 2011 are all affected.

A spokesman said BMW will contact owners of the relevant models in the next three weeks.