Fronx safety recall issued
Suzuki New Zealand is advising owners of its all-new Fronx Hybrid to avoid using the SUV’s rear seats because of safety concerns.
A voluntary safety recall has now been issued for the 2025 model with Suzuki Motor Corporation acknowledging a recent assessment carried out by ANCAP, as reported by Autofile Online.
The company says it is taking “decisive action, including the implementation of a thorough investigation” and that “customer safety is non-negotiable and remains Suzuki’s highest priority across Australia and New Zealand”.
The statement issued by Suzuki NZ on December 23 adds: “As the investigation continues, Suzuki has identified a VIN range of potentially affected vehicles for which a voluntary safety recall is being announced.
“It appears the functionality of the rear-seat belt retractor mechanism may not perform as designed and, as a potential consequence, excessive belt length may release in the event of collision. This may result in injury.
“Suzuki NZ is contacting all Fronx customers and advising whether their vehicle is affected or not. Customers with affected vehicles are requested to immediately cease using the rear seats.
“Suzuki Motor Corporation is committed to transparency and safety of Suzuki owners and drivers throughout Australia and New Zealand, and is taking the necessary steps to ensure all affected vehicles are addressed as soon as possible.”
Seatbelt failure ‘rare and serious’
ANCAP issued a “customer alert” on December 22 after independent testing the Fronx, which it gave a one-star rating after its performance in key crash tests, and for its levels of occupant protection for adults and children.
In addition, ANCAP’s testing identified the separate safety concern when a rear seatbelt failed during the car’s full-width frontal crash test. The testing showed the Fronx delivered “poor” levels of occupant protection for adults and children.
It was during the full-width frontal test that the rear-passenger seatbelt retractor failed resulting in an uncontrolled seatbelt release when the rear dummy became unrestrained, allowing it to strike the rear of the front seat.
While ANCAP describes the component failure as “serious”, the vehicle had already received zero points in the full-width frontal test before the failure occurred due to the high chest load recorded Importantly, says ANCAP, the one-star rating reflects the
Fronx’s overall crash performance – particularly the performance of its structure and restraint systems – and is not a consequence of the separate seatbelt component failure.
“The seatbelt component failure is rare and serious,” says Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP’s chief executive officer. “We exist to give consumers confidence and, when our tests reveal results of this nature, we will act in their best interest by communicating our findings promptly and transparently.
“What concerns us is this particular vehicle could have been purchased by an ordinary consumer and in an on-road crash this failure could have had serious consequences for the person in the back seat.”
After the release of ANCAP’s customer alert, the NZTA issued its own statement. An edited version appears below:
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi [NZTA] is urging the owners of Suzuki Fronx vehicles in New Zealand not to carry passengers in the rear seats of the vehicles following the recent failure of a rear safety-belt mechanism in a laboratory crash test carried out by ANCAP.
“The Fronx has received a one-star safety rating from ANCAP based on its poor performance in the recent crash test. While the seatbelt failure is serious, the low ANCAP rating reflects the vehicle’s poor performance across all aspects of ANCAP’s testing.
“The failure of this safety-critical component in an ANCAP crash test is a significant concern to NZTA as New Zealand’s vehicle safety regulator as a similar failure in an on-road crash could potentially result in serious injury or death for rear-seat passengers. There are currently 1,115 Fronx vehicles registered for use on New Zealand roads.
“NZTA officials have met with Suzuki NZ to encourage the company to act with urgency to address the issue, including considering enacting a manufacturer’s recall. Whether further regulatory action is required will depend on what steps Suzuki takes to address the issue.
“NZTA is advised Suzuki NZ has stopped sales of the Fronx in New Zealand and is contacting vehicle owners from today to provide them with further information, including advice that passengers do not travel in the rear seats at this time.
“NZTA encourages all Suzuki Fronx owners to engage with Suzuki NZ, including on what solutions Suzuki NZ can offer to owners who require the use of rear seats for upcoming travel.
“NZTA urges Fronx owners in New Zealand who have not been contacted by Suzuki NZ to contact the company or their local dealer urgently. Customers can contact Suzuki NZ by email at enquiry@suzuki.co.nz, or by phone on 0800-929-394.”
