Volkswagen Recalls Tiguan SUVs for Faulty Seat Belts
The recall comes after seat belts tore during government crash testing
Volkswagen is recalling over 10,000 Tiguan SUVs from the 2018 model year because their front seat belts may tear in a crash.
The recall comes after a nearly three-year investigation after driver’s side seat belts tore completely during two crash tests of the 2018 Tiguan as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program.
In a letter to NHTSA, Volkswagen said it was unaware of any real-world instances of seat belts tearing. The automaker also said that the seat belts didn't tear during its own subsequent tests. But Volkswagen said it's recalling all vehicles with seat belt assemblies that came from the same batch as those that tore during government testing “out of an abundance of caution.”
Volkswagen dealers will replace the front seat belts free of charge starting in mid-January.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 10,835 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs from the 2018 model year manufactured from July 8, 2017, through Oct. 27, 2017.
The problem: The front seat belts may tear during a crash, which could cause serious injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front seat belts free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: The recall is expected to begin on Jan. 19, 2021. Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by mail before then. They may also contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298.
NHTSA campaign number: 20V724. Volkswagen's own number for this recall is 69BH.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.
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