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Porsche and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are issuing a recall for the 2010 Panamera for a potential seat belt defect that could leave the driver unprotected in the event of a crash. NHTSA says the defect can occur when either front seat is put in an "extreme position," which could lead to the seat belt mount being detached from the anchoring mechanism while the belt is fastened or opened. The post-jump NHTSA release doesn't explain what an "extreme position" is, though we're guessing that the safety administration is referring to a seat that is either very close to or very far away from the dash (see UPDATE below).
But while we don't know which seat positions could cause the problem, we do know that the result could be serious. NHTSA says that, in the event of a crash, the seat belt may not adequately protect the front seat occupant. Th agency's release states that there are up to 3,176 units affected by the safety action. Panamera owners (congratulations!) can take their vehicle to the nearest Porsche dealer, where an additional locking element will be installed onto the belt anchoring system to correct the issue.
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
PORSCHE / PANAMERA 2010
Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: MAR 31, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V141000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3176
Summary:
PORSCHE HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 PANAMERA S, 4S AND TURBO 4-DOOR SEDAN. IF THE FRONT SEATS ARE ADJUSTED TOWARDS AN EXTREME POSITION, RESULTING IN UNFAVORABLE TOLERANCE OF THE MATING COMPONENTS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FUNCTION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE SEAT BELT MOUNT CAN NO LONGER BE GUARANTEED. THE SEAT BELT MOUNT COULD DETACH FROM THE ANCHORING SYSTEM WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED OR OPENED.
Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL LOCKING ELEMENT INSTALLED ON THE SEAT BELT ANCHORING SYSTEM FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
- Porsche recalls 2010 Panamera over potential seatbelt failure *UPDATED — Autoblog
