Wednesday 28th April 2010

Panamera Recalled Over Seatbelt Fears

Tensioner problem causes global recall for Porsche

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The US road safety body has sparked the recall of all 11,300 Porsche Panameras after it highlighted a potential seatbelt tensioner problem.

The NHTSA said that "if the [Panamera's] front seats are adjusted towards an extreme position... it is possible that the function of the locking mechanism of the seatbelt mount can no longer be guaranteed."

It went on to suggest that the belts "may not provide adequate protection for the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of injury or death".

Porsche has immediately recalled all Panameras built and sold worldwide since last September.

The 400-plus Panamera owners in the UK can get an extra locking element fitted to the seatbelts of their cars at any Porsche dealership.

[RB Will]

Drivers of average height need not apply

[aka_kerrly]

is it me or do the Americans seem really keen on exposing any potential flaw even extreme examples on any NON US built car right now.

dave

[kambites]

aka_kerrly said:

is it me or do the Americans seem really keen on exposing any potential flaw even extreme examples on any NON US built car right now.

Are you sure that it's not just that we don't hear about it when they do it with American cars, since relatively few of them get exported to Europe?

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 28th April 13:30

[JamesJTS]

Possibly, well, only the ones who haven't sliced their fingers off with their prams. I was just considering the vast proportion of American Panamera owners who would require the seat to be put into its 'Extreme Position'.

[sootyrumble]

That would be 90% of their population americans are a lot bigger than their european counter parts :-)

[Motown Junk]

Not just non-US. Back in the 60's the Chevy Corvair was pretty much killed off after a report claimed it's swing axle was 'unsafe at any speed'.

Air cooled, flat 6, rear engined,turbo option? Stupid idea.........

[Kin Mak]

Typical that the US is also the country BMW had to design their cars differently to cater for the passengers that don't wear seatbelts. :P

[Snoggledog]

Hmm.. Would have thought that the number of fatties larger business people who would want one would have sufficient padding in the event of an accident.

[briSk]

the biggest concern is that it's a combination of dodgy seatbelts with clearly visually impaired drivers.

[Ricky944s2]

aka_kerrly said:

is it me or do the Americans seem really keen on exposing any potential flaw even extreme examples on any NON US built car right now.

dave

+1

[soad]

Ricky944s2 said:

aka_kerrly said:

is it me or do the Americans seem really keen on exposing any potential flaw even extreme examples on any NON US built car right now.

dave

+1

+2 Me too.

[Denorth]

has anyone seen an American sitting in Panamera in such position? or non-American?
Anyone? Any other car?

[Belfast Boy]

soad said:

Ricky944s2 said:

aka_kerrly said:

is it me or do the Americans seem really keen on exposing any potential flaw even extreme examples on any NON US built car right now.

dave

+1

+2 Me too.

They are sulking because they can't sell there own crap onto others at a Premium,
>looks at Chevrolet Cruze/PT Cruiser website<

[Speedraser]

Aren't you quick to criticize and stereotype the US Too often, criticism of the NHTSA is entirely valid. Not this time.

Why would anyone consider it acceptable to have seat belts that don't work with the seat in certain positions? Certainly the belts should work in any position the seat is in, and Porsche must surely agree. If you're very tall or very short, it's OK if your seat belts don't work???

[geoffracing]

Why bother about those seat belts; that car is anyhow bloated, swollen, in one word: ugly. So just don't buy one and you won't worry!
I have seen one, and my wife and I do not like it at all.

[pikey]

Kin Mak said:

Typical that the US is also the country BMW had to design their cars differently to cater for the passengers that don't wear seatbelts. :P

Most manufacturers do that. It's generally different air bags as some states don't mandate the use of seat belts.

[WingNut]

Have Porsche really sold 400 Panameras in the UK;)

[JamesJTS]

[quote=Speedraser]Aren't you quick to criticize and stereotype the US Too often, criticism of the NHTSA is entirely valid. Not this time.

True, but these comments have been coming from members of nation renowned for their bad teeth and the ability to laugh at themselves so it's Tit for Tat.

I think the general consensus was regarding the recent large proportion of recalls announced as a result of US findings, some of which are spurious and perplexing - having had no resultant action elsewhere in say Europe, Maclaren buggies and Prius brakes spring to mind.

Having said that the NHTSA are more than correct on this occassion, seatbelts been crucial to safety at every extreme of operation. Credit is due.

[SDxsi]

WingNut said:

Have Porsche really sold 400 Panameras in the UK;)

F k that, i'd like to know how in gods name have they managed to sell nearly 12000?

[v1paul]

all 11,300 Porsche Panameras... I think this is the more shocking news.