NHTSA recall 04V592000
Seat belts
Volkswagen Touareg
The defect
Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." all three rear seat positions and the front passenger position are equipped with seat belt retractors that have a locking feature which converts the retractor from an emergency locking retractor (elr) mode to an automatic locking retractor (alr) mode for the purposes of child restraint installation. the belt may deactivate the alr mode with certain child restraints.
The risk
When involved in a crash, the child restraints may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injuries or death.
The remedy
Dealers will permanently install a 'clip' in each of the two rear outboard seat belts. The clips will prevent unwanted deactivation of the alr mode with child seat installations. the recall began on april 11, 2005. owners should contact VW at 1-800-822-8987.