Volkswagen issue warnings not to use rear seats over seatbelt buckle design flaw

Volkswagen has issued warnings not to use rear seats over a seatbelt buckle design flaw that can lead to seatbelt buckles coming open when vehicles change lanes at high-speeds.

Independent testing of three models – the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Arona and SEAT Ibiza – identified the problem that has led to the German automotive giant finding themselves in yet another costly crisis as they continue to pay billions of pounds over their 2015 “dieselgate” scandal that our Group Acton Lawyers are fighting for justice for.

This latest problem is one in a long line of scandals and crises VW has been facing in recent years.

According to the information from the independent testing, the recent versions of the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Arona and SEAT Ibiza (SEAT being a part of the Volkswagen Group) are all susceptible to the rear left seatbelt buckle coming undone when the vehicle is manoeuvring at high speeds.

The report says that the problem stems from the middle seatbelt buckle being positioned higher than the rear left seatbelt buckle which can cause the middle buckle to be forced downward when the vehicle moves left, therefore pushing down on the rear left buckle and causing it to unclip. A number of cars were reportedly tested where many yielded the same results, suggesting that this was not an isolated problem or a freak accident.

As a result of the findings, Volkswagen has been forced to issue warnings not to use the seatbelt buckle until a recall can take place.

Volkswagen is currently facing what is set to be the biggest class action in England and Wales over their use of so-called “defeat devices” in some 1.2 million diesel engines here in the UK. Our Group Action Lawyers, who are appointed to the Steering Committee leading the class action, are representing over 10,000 owners pursuing damages claims that could see some victims receive up to 100% of the purchase price of their vehicle.

You can read more about the VW class action here.