Seatbelt recall in NZ

Vehicle testing by a Finnish car magazine highlighted the issue with rear seatbelts in the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona where it was found the latch unexpectedly releases when three passengers are carried in the rear. The magazine highlighted several examples of the issue to ensure it wasn't a one-off problem.

In all three cars, the centre-rear seatbelt is mounted slightly higher than the one adjacent. When three occupants are in the rear seat, sudden vehicle manoeuvres (such as an emergency lane change), the weight of the middle passenger can push the adjacent buckle to the extent that it unlatches.

VW NZ has sold 149 Polos year-to-date, while the newly established Seat distributorship has sold 12 Ibizas. The Arona has just arrived in showrooms, so the vehicle hasn't reached New Zealand customers yet. All three models are based on the VW Group's MQB platform and share the same seatbelt components and installation.

A spokesman from Seat NZ told Stuff that the company will be contacting Ibiza owners and advising them not to carry three passengers in the rear of the vehicle until recall modifications can be carried out. It could be several weeks before replacement parts arrive from the factory.