Over 1800 Skoda and VW cars recalled in India over seatbelt defect
Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. (SAVWIPL) has initiated a second recall in 2025 due to a seatbelt-related defect affecting select sedans and SUVs manufactured locally. The recall covers a total of 1821 units of the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia and Kylaq, along with Volkswagen’s Virtus and Taigun models. These vehicles were produced between December 2021 and May 2025, according to data provided by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
The defect stems from a potential crack in the metal base of the rear seat belt assembly, specifically on the left and right sides. SIAM has also noted that some of the vehicles may have been fitted with incorrect parts during assembly, which could pose a safety risk.
Of the affected batch, 860 units belong to Skoda models, including the compact SUV Kushaq, the Slavia sedan and the Kylaq SUV. Meanwhile, 961 units are from the Volkswagen stable, comprising the Virtus sedan and Taigun SUV. These cars will require inspection and potential replacement of the faulty components.
This announcement follows a larger recall from May 2025, when over 47,000 units of the same models were called back for similar concerns. Notably, international models such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Tiguan R Line remain unaffected by this recall. Additionally, other Volkswagen models sold overseas, like the Polo, Passat, Taigo and ID series, have been recalled recently due to separate safety issues.
Owners of the impacted vehicles will be contacted directly by the manufacturer. They also have the option to verify their car’s recall status by visiting the official Skoda or Volkswagen India recall portals and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
