Volkswagen and Seat has confirmed a technical issue on the current new VW Polo (model year 2018 ), new Seat Ibiza (2017 and 2018 models ) and Seat Arona (2018 model year ).
There is the possibility that in rare situations (eg, sudden quick lane changes with five passengers on board ) and when the rear centre seat and the rear left seat are occupied at the same time, the left seat belt lock could be unintentionally released.
Volkswagen says safety remains a main priority and the brand has already identified a technical solution: a redesigned belt lock fixture which will prevent this happening.
Volkswagen and Seat say all three cars are legally homologated and safe to drive, but the brand advises its customers not to use the middle seat of the new Polo until the car is equipped with the redesigned belt lock fixture.
Both brands are now addressing the concerned authorities for their final validation in order to implement the solution, both on vehicles in the market, as well as on the future series production.
Within the next few weeks, both brands from the Volkswagen Group will start a recall campaign. Customers will receive a letter to plan an appointment with a Volkswagen or Seat service partner. The check, as well as the implementation of the redesigned belt lock fixture, will be free of charge.
