Drivers of a recently launched Suzuki SUV in New Zealand have been warned not to carry passengers in the rear seats after a seatbelt mechanism failure was identified during laboratory crash testing. Reported by 1News.
The Suzuki Fronx, introduced to the New Zealand market in June, received a one-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) following the failure. The issue emerged during a full-width frontal crash test designed to simulate a head-on collision.
ANCAP said the rear passenger seatbelt retractor failed during the test, leading to an uncontrolled release of the belt. As a result, the rear crash test dummy became unrestrained and struck the back of the front seat. Government vehicle safety regulators in both New Zealand and Australia have been notified of the findings.
“It is ANCAP’s view that adult and child passengers should not travel in the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx until the reason for the failure has been determined and relevant rectifications have been carried out,” the report stated.
In response, Suzuki NZ said it has launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the assessment results.
The company also confirmed it has halted sales of the Suzuki Fronx in New Zealand and has begun contacting vehicle owners to provide further guidance, including advice that passengers should not use the rear seats for now.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) described the seatbelt failure as being of “significant concern”, warning that a similar malfunction in a real-world crash could lead to serious injury or death for rear-seat occupants. There are currently 1,115 Suzuki Fronx vehicles registered for use on New Zealand roads.
“While the seatbelt failure is serious, the low ANCAP rating reflects the vehicle’s poor performance across all aspects of ANCAP’s testing,” an NZTA spokesperson said.
NZTA officials have met with Suzuki NZ to encourage swift action, including consideration of a formal recall. “Whether further regulatory action is required will depend on what steps Suzuki takes to address the issue,” the spokesperson added. NZTA also advised that owners who have not yet been contacted by Suzuki NZ should urgently reach out to the company or their local dealer.
In a statement to 1News, Suzuki NZ acknowledged the ANCAP assessment and reiterated its commitment to safety.
“Customer safety is non-negotiable and remains Suzuki’s highest priority across Australia and New Zealand.
This review is being progressed with urgency and at the highest levels of the organisation,” a spokesperson said.
“Suzuki will take any actions required to uphold our safety standards and the trust our customers place in our brand.”
Owners who believe they may be affected are encouraged to contact news@tvnz.co.nz with the subject line SUZUKIfor further assistance.
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