Cayenne Recal

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Porsche, Volkswagen Recall SUVs - AP Newswire

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

BERLIN — Porsche is recalling more than 40,000 Cayenne sport utility vehicles worldwide and rival Volkswagen recalled some 60,000 of its Touareg SUVs to check for potential faults in rear seat belts.

The German automakers jointly developed the Cayenne and Touareg models, and the vehicles share some parts. The recall is to check for bolts anchoring the seat belts to the frame that were improperly welded and could come loose.

Porsche said Tuesday it became of the problem through quality tests, but that no incidents had been reported.

About 1,000 of the faulty parts were installed in the Cayenne and Touareg vehicles, Volkswagen spokesman Alexander Skibbe said Tuesday.

Porsche said the seat belts in the driver and front passenger seats are not affected by the fault.

Both companies said the fault lies with the supplier, which they refused to identify.

Porsche said its recall affects Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models manufactured between Oct. 1, 2002 and Dec. 17, 2003 — a total of 40,848 vehicles. Brisk sales of the Cayenne have boosted Porsche's results over recent quarters.

Skibbe said the worldwide Volkswagen recall affected all Touareg models made in the same period.

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Make:    PORSCHE

Model:  CAYENNE

Year:  2004

Recall Number:  04V231000

Summary:

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT IS INSUFFICIENT RIVETED.

Consequence:

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BELT BUCKLE LATCH AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.

Notes:

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).