Finnish automotive magazine Tekniikan Maailma ™ discovered the issue during high-speed maneuver tests, where the rear passenger’s seatbelt would unbuckle when three passengers were seated in the back, says Global Village Space.
The fault occurs when a high-speed evasion movement is made, causing the central passenger’s belt lock to push down on a side passenger’s lock, unlocking it. TM has labeled this issue as a “dangerous design flaw,” and they caution against carrying three passengers in the back seat of the Smart #1 until the fault is fixed.
The safety of Smart vehicles is generally comparable to other small cars. They come equipped with features like electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system, airbags, traction control, and side-impact protection. However, it’s essential to consider specific crash test ratings and safety features for each mode.
Smart has confirmed to TM that it’s currenty investigating the issue and a recall appears likely.
Smart told TM: “We take this matter with our principal very seriously. Our principal has already started his own investigations, and we will tell you about them and the measures as soon as possible”, according to AutoCar.
As of now, there is no specific timeline for when the issue with the Smart #1 rear seatbelts will be resolved. It’s essential that if you are a Smart #1 owners to stay informed about official announcements from Smart or relevant authorities regarding this safety concern.
According to AutoExpress, a similar issue affecting the Seat Arona, Seat Ibiza, and Volkswagen Polo was uncovered by the same publication in 2018. Once the problem was identified, the Volkswagen Group redesigned the belt lock fixture and advised customers not to use the middle seat of affected cars until the fix was applied.
If your Smart #1 is impacted by the rear seatbelt issue, follow these steps:
- Stay informed: Keep an eye out for official announcements from Smart or relevant authorities regarding this safety concern.
- Avoid carrying three passengers in the back seat until the fault is fixed.
- Be prepared for a potential recall, as it seems likely that Smart will address this issue promptly
The Smart #1 could be recalled, and if it is, then now you’ll have an idea as to why and what is currently happening with this seatbelt fault that has been found.
