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Climate control, bodywork and interior

Problems with seats and the interior: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 63 faults with seats and the interior in 60 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: unsuitable front right seat guides: the seat may not lock in place and could come loose (2016 campaign) (Abarth 500), Driver's seat frame breakage in Civics built in 2022 (Honda Civic XI) and recall over the rear seat backrest latch (Nissan Juke II).

Documented faults
63
45 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
60
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
60
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

11 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Seats and interior

Seats, head restraints and mountings are part of the car's passive safety, which is why manufacturing defects (welds, rivets or fixings) are usually corrected with recalls. We also include interior wear and play documented on some models.

What to do

If a seat has play, the rear backrest does not lock or a head restraint does not hold, do not use it until it has been checked. Seat campaigns are usually quick, free inspections at the official dealer.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with seats and the interior. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with seats and the interior by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAbarth 500Unsuitable front right seat guides: the seat may not lock in place and could come loose (2016 campaign)Safety Gate/RAPEX issued a recall in September 2016 for the Fiat 500 and Abarth 500 built between December 2015 and January 2016: the front right seat guides are unsuitable and the seat might not engage properly and could even come loose. It is corrected at an official workshop using the chassis number (VIN).
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic XIDriver's seat frame breakage in Civics built in 2022Yes: Honda recalled the Civic and Civic Type R built between 21 July and 21 October 2022 (campaign 6YC) because the driver's seat frame can break under sustained stress and, in a crash, the driver's restraint system might not work. The sources consulted do not describe the repair.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Juke IIRecall over the rear seat backrest latchYes: Nissan recalled about 56,000 Jukes across Europe (about 9,000 in France) built between 18 September 2019 and 28 August 2020, because the rear seat backrest might not lock properly after being folded down.Repair: €0
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Master IIDefective welds on the front seat mountingYes: Master IIs built between early 2008 and May 2009 were recalled because some welds on the mounting of the single front seat did not conform and, in extreme braking or a crash, the seat could come away from the floor. The mounting was reinforced with extra welding.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTesla Model YRecall for incomplete welds in the seat structure (built 2022-2024)Tesla recalled Model Y cars built between June 2022 and March 2024 (bulletin SB-24-13-003) because the structure of some seats could have incomplete welds, which reduces their strength in an accident.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Urban CruiserBreakage of the front seat rail locking springThe spring that locks the fore-and-aft adjustment rail of the driver's and passenger's seat can break after repeated use and leave the seat unsecured. Toyota fixed it with a campaign (Safety Gate alert A12/0616/14) that replaces the spring on Urban Cruisers built between 2008 and 2010.
  7. 7Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.4Insufficient bolting in the rear seat backrest mountingYes, in a specific batch: Volkswagen recalled ID.4s built between 22 February 2022 and 19 March 2024 because the bolted joint between the backrest and the rear seat may have been insufficiently secured, with a risk that the backrest will not properly restrain luggage or occupants in a rear-end collision.Repair: €0
  8. 8Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.7Front seat backrest insufficiently secured by a faulty bolted jointYes: in 2024 Volkswagen recalled ID.4 and ID.7 cars from a limited production period because the bolted joint between the backrest and the base of the front seats may be poorly made and the backrest may not hold sufficiently in a crash. The remedy is to replace the bolts of both front backrests.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID. BuzzFaulty stops on the third-row seat railsYes, in one batch: in July 2025 Volkswagen recalled ID. Buzz models built between 13 August and 15 November 2024 because the stops on the third-row seat rails are faulty and can reduce how well those seats are held in a crash.
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MThird-row seat structure that may deform in an accidentIn 2016 Audi recalled seven-seat Q7s built from May 2015 to September 2016: the notches in the crossmember of the third-row seats were not made properly and the structure could deform in an accident. The remedy was to add a bracket.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X7 G07Badly fitted locking springs on the third-row seat backrestIn October 2022 the Safety Gate published a BMW campaign because the compression springs of the third-row seat backrest latch on the X7 may be badly fitted or missing: the backrest may not lock in the upright position and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
  12. 12High severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra AtecaFront seat frame defect (2019 recall)Yes: Auto Express lists among the Cupra Ateca recalls one from July 2019 for a poorly built seat frame, which is replaced. That year Safety Gate recorded an alert for the Seat Ateca over possible cracks in the front left seat mounting, which would reduce its protection in an accident.
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra BornRecall 72A2: driver's seat frame boltAccording to Fiches-auto.fr, campaign 72A2 affects Borns built between 19 March and 24 September 2026: a seat frame fixing bolt can loosen and, in a crash, the seat could move and protect less well.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Scudo IIIInsufficient mounting of the front and second-row seatsSafety Gate (A12/03524/24) and the KBA list a recall of Scudos and Ulysses built between 28 August and 8 October 2024: the mounting of the front or second-row seats is not strong enough and the seat may move in an accident.
  15. 15High severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Cherokee KKActive head restraints that may not deploy in a rear-end collisionThe 2018 EU safety alert covers Cherokee/Liberty KKs built between June 2011 and December 2013: an internal fault in the occupant restraint control module can stop the active head restraints from working in a rear-end impact.
  16. 16High severityFrequency: OccasionalLancia Ypsilon IIIRear right ISOFIX child seat anchorage with a poor weld (November 2014 cars)Yes: in September 2017 a recall was notified over a poor weld on the rear right ISOFIX anchorage on Ypsilon cars built in November 2014. In an accident, that anchorage could come away and leave a child seat fitted in that position unsecured.
  17. 17High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Defender IISeatback latch of the third-row seats on the Defender 130Yes: in 2023 campaign N768 was launched over a problem with the third-row seat latch on the Defender 130 built between July 2021 and January 2023 (318 vehicles in the United Kingdom); injury in an accident cannot be ruled out. The latch is checked and, if it does not work properly, the seat frame is replaced.
  18. 18High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Freelander IFront seatback that does not lock properly after folding (2001 recall)In October 2001 Freelanders built between August 2000 and February 2001 were recalled because the front seats could fail to lock properly after the folding lever was operated, and the seatback could fold forwards in a very hard braking manoeuvre.
  19. 19High severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIRecall over corrosion in the seat height mechanismYes: Mazda recalled around 28,745 Mazda6 GH cars built between August 2007 and August 2010 because the driver's seat height adjustment mechanism can corrode and stop working.
  20. 20High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz EQC N293Rear left seat back latch out of specificationMercedes recalled EQCs built from 24/01/2020 to 25/05/2020 because the rear left seat back latch does not meet specifications. In an accident, the seat back lock could fail and the risk flagged is injury. The DVSA states that the latch is replaced.
  21. 21High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLS X167Faulty third-row seatback latchMercedes recalled the GLS of the 167 series (production in Germany from November 2017 to July 2022) because the latches of the third-row seatback are missing springs or have them incorrectly fitted, and in a collision the seatback could give way.
  22. 22High severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Vivaro CFirst and second row seat mountings not strong enoughYes: in 2024 Opel recalled Vivaros built between 28 August and 8 October 2024 because the mounting of the first and/or second row seats was not strong enough and a seat could move in an accident. The DVSA says the mountings are reworked.
  23. 23High severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Expert IIIFront or second-row seat mounting with insufficient strengthA Peugeot recall (MT6, Safety Gate A12/03523/24) covers Expert and Traveller vehicles built between 28 August and 8 October 2024: the mounting of the first- or second-row seats may not be strong enough and the seat may move in a crash.
  24. 24High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Kangoo IISuccessive campaigns over the mounting of the front seats, the rear bench and the third rowRenault has recalled the Kangoo II at least three times over seat mountings: the front seats in January 2012 (86,000 vehicles), the rear bench in February 2016 (more than 6,300 vehicles) and the third-row locking on the 7-seat versions at the end of 2015.Repair: €0
  25. 25High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Kangoo IIIDefective front seat base frame and ISOFIX anchorage that may failRenault recalled (code 0E5L) Kangoo IIIs built between 16 May and 20 June 2023 because the front seat base frame was defective and the ISOFIX system for child seats could malfunction, with a risk of injury in an accident.
  26. 26High severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Twingo IIDriver seat guide spring that comes loose (2008-2009 campaign)A 2009 campaign affected Twingo IIs built between 2008 and February 2009: the compensation spring of the driver seat guides can come out of position and leave the seat unlocked.Repair: €0
  27. 27High severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda KaroqRear head restraints with a faulty weldŠkoda recalled the Karoq in December 2018, and again in March 2019, because the rear head restraints on part of the production run had a faulty weld that could compromise their strength in a rear-end impact.Repair: €0
  28. 28High severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda KaroqSeat frames with a manufacturing defectIn July 2019, Škoda recalled part of the Karoq production run because the seat frames had a manufacturing defect.Repair: €0
  29. 29High severityFrequency: OccasionalSmart ForfourRear seat backrest anchorage with insufficient strength in a frontal crashIn 2016 Safety Gate published an alert (A12/0766/16) because the rear seat backrest anchorage of the Forfour, built from September 2014 to December 2015, may not withstand a frontal crash with a heavy load behind it. The backrest could come loose and fold forwards.
  30. 30High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo EX30Front head restraint cushions that can come loose in a crashVolvo recalled the EX30 and EX30 Cross Country built between 2024 and 2026 because the front head restraint cushions might not be properly secured and could come loose in a collision.
  31. 31Critical severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIDefective weld on the front seat back of the Audi A5Audi recalled a very small batch of A5 and other models built between 1 and 20 June 2023 (1,149 vehicles) because a weld on the front seat back frame could break in an accident.
  32. 32Critical severityFrequency: RareFiat 500XRisk of the rear seat backrest not locking (2015-2018 build)Yes: two independent sources document a campaign for units built between 2 June 2015 and 17 August 2018 in which the locking mechanism of the rear seat backrest may fail, allowing it to fold forward in a crash.
  33. 33Critical severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz GLA H247Folding rear seat rivets incorrectly fitted, risk of the seat shifting in an accidentOn cars built between 17 October and 12 November 2024, the rivets that secure the rails of the folding rear seat may not be fitted correctly, which could allow the seat to move uncontrollably in a collision.Repair: €0
  34. 34Critical severityFrequency: RareNissan Note IRear seat Isofix anchorages may not behave properly in a side impactA 2006 campaign covers a very specific batch of Notes built in late January 2006 in which the rear seat Isofix anchorages might not behave as intended in a side impact; fiches-auto.fr also independently records an Isofix fitting problem in the first units of the model.
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIRecall for breakage of the seat adjustment mechanismYes: in some Mazda3 BLs built up to 2010, the seat adjustment mechanism could break because of weak material, which meant it had to be reinforced or replaced under a manufacturer campaign.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 5008 IIIRecall over the Peugeot 5008 III head restraints (code MVC)According to the fiches-auto.fr listing, there is a recall campaign affecting the 5008 III head restraints (code MVC). The listing does not detail the defect or the number of cars.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault AustralElectric front seat that slides back onto rear passenger (campaign 0E9W)With the Easy Access function activated, the Austral's electric front seat could slide so far back that the backrest hit a rear passenger. Renault recalled those built between 21 April 2022 and 28 November 2023 (27,893 vehicles across the Austral and Espace VI) and is fixing it with a software update.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Espace VIFront seatback that strikes a rear passenger with the Easy Access functionA 2024 recall warned that, with the easy access function switched on, the front seatback can strike a rear passenger as the seat retracts. It affects the Espace VI built between March and November 2023 and is a precautionary campaign.
  39. 39High severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IISeat fixing bolts not tightened properly on units from July 2020Audi recalled A5s built in July 2020 because the bolted joint between the seat frame and its rail may have been poorly made and could fail in an accident.
  40. 40High severityFrequency: RareAudi Q2Rear head restraints with a faulty weld (147 cars)In November 2018, Audi recalled 147 Q2 and A3 cars built between May and September 2018 because the rear head restraints had a faulty weld; in July 2019 one more isolated case appeared on a car built in February 2019.Repair: €0
  41. 41High severityFrequency: RareBMW X3 F25ISOFIX rear seat anchors that may break (2010-2016 production)Yes: BMW recalled X3s built between March 2010 and April 2016 because the four ISOFIX anchors on the rear seats were not strong enough and could break under the forces of a bend.
  42. 42High severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz Clase B W247Recalls for welds and stability of the front seatsYes: two European recalls affected B-Class cars built between August and November 2018, because the welds or the fixing of the front seats could fail in a crash.
  43. 43High severityFrequency: RareOpel Astra KBadly welded front seat backrest frameOpel recalled 2019 Astra K cars (together with the Insignia B) because the front seat backrest frame might not be properly welded, with a risk of injury if it gives way in an impact.
  44. 44High severityFrequency: RareOpel Vivaro BSeat mounting that may fail in an accidentIn March 2015 Opel warned that the seat mounting of the Vivaro B built between May and October 2014 could fail in an accident. It is a safety campaign limited to that window.
  45. 45High severityFrequency: RareSeat TarracoCracks in the front seat frameYes, in a limited batch: Seat recalled 122 Tarraco cars built from February 2019 because the front passenger seat frame could have manufacturing cracks. The brand replaced the seat where necessary.Repair: €0
  46. 46High severityFrequency: RareŠkoda Kodiaq IManufacturing defects in the rear seats (cracks and insufficient fixing)Yes, in two limited batches from 2018-2019: Skoda recalled 238 Kodiaqs over cracks in the front seat frame and another 236 for not having enough nuts to secure the rear seat properly. Both campaigns were resolved free of charge through the official network.Repair: €0
  47. 47High severityFrequency: RareToyota Yaris IIThe seat rail spring can break and leave the seat loose in a crashA 2014 recall covered Yaris built between 2005 and 2010 because the spring that locks the seat rail could break, so that the seat was not securely fixed and could move in a crash.
  48. 48High severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen Touran IIJune 2018 campaign for defective head restraintsVolkswagen recalled second-generation Tourans built in 2018 over a possible defect in the head restraints, according to the specialist British press, with no further detail on the exact technical cause or the number of units.Repair: €0
  49. 49High severityFrequency: RareVolvo EX30Insufficient welds in the front seat backrest tilt mechanismAccording to the fiches-auto.fr profile (5 testimonies), Volvo ran a campaign over resistance welds of insufficient strength between the tilt mechanism and the backrest bracket on manual front seats. The profile gives no dates or numbers of cars.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: RareDacia Duster IIRecall for the rear seat frame on the Duster II (2018-2019)Dacia recalled Dusters built between November 2018 and October 2019 because the rear seat frame may not be strong enough to hold the boot load in an accident.
  51. 51Medium severityFrequency: RareOpel Corsa CFaulty driver's seat height adjustment (very early cars)According to the ADAC (as reported by Gebrauchtwagenberater.de), the earliest Opel Corsa C cars, up to model year 2000, were the subject of a recall for a faulty driver's seat height adjustment mechanism.
  52. 52Medium severityFrequency: RareRenault ModusThe rear seat may jam (2008-2009 production)A 2010 campaign covers Modus cars built between January 2008 and October 2009 in which the folding rear bench may jam and not lock back correctly into position.
  53. 53Medium severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen ArteonFaulty weld on the rear headrest bracket in 2018 Arteon modelsA December 2018 alert covered Arteons built between May and August 2018 because the rear headrest bracket could be poorly welded to the backrest, which reduces its protection in an impact.
  54. 54Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai InsterUnprotected screws under the seat (recall)Hyundai recalled some Inster built in 2024 and 2025 because the fixing screws under the driver's seat (in Germany, under the front right-hand seat) have no caps, and their edges can cause injury. The repair consists of fitting caps, about 15 minutes.
  55. 55Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLancia VoyagerFaults with the sliding doors, third-row seats and electric tailgateIn its used-car test of the Lancia Voyager, Auto Bild reports that with full standard equipment the electric sliding doors, the third-row seats with electric folding and the rear tailgate fail from time to time. It adds that the VW T5 and Mercedes Viano do no better.
  56. 56Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IIIFragile paint and defective seat springsYes: several owners describe paint that chips or flakes after only a few months of use, and caradisiac also records a case of defective seat springs.
  57. 57Low severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 5008 IIPremature wear of the driver's seat upholsterySeveral reports describe abnormal or premature wear of the Peugeot 5008 II's driver's seat upholstery, documented at around 47,000 km and also after about four years of use.
  58. 58Low severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault FluencePremature deterioration of the steering wheel trim, gear knob and seatSeveral owners compiled by fiches-auto.fr say that the leather on the steering wheel, gear knob and driver's seat degrades sooner than expected, sometimes with parts replaced. There is no campaign or public bulletin about it.
  59. 59Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Auris IIThe paint flakes easily and the interior develops playSeveral owners describe paint that marks or flakes with minor knocks (including hail), and interior details such as the glovebox latch or the driver's seat that develop play with use.
  60. 60Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoCorrosion and leaks in the bodywork of the Toyota VersoAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the bodywork is the most-cited area outside the engine on the Verso: 14 cases of rust in the seat mounts, water getting into the boot and fragile paint.
  61. 61Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S60 IIDoor handle failure and deterioration of the seat foam on the Volvo S60According to fiches-auto.fr, there are cases of faulty door handles (three replacements on a single car) and of seat foam deteriorating before 30,000 km.
  62. 62Low severityFrequency: RareAudi TT IIIBroken side trim on the sports seatsAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr (only 25 for this model), two testimonies mention seat side trim pieces breaking, described as a common defect of the sports seats.
  63. 63Low severityFrequency: RareToyota Previa XR30Rear centre seat adjuster that sticksThe What Car? guide on the 2000-2006 Previa warns that the adjustment mechanism of the rear centre bench can stick. It is a minor comfort fault; the source gives no figures or mileage.

Problems with seats and the interior by make

Problems with seats and the interior in your car

3 cars have several documented faults with seats and the interior. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Audi 1
Škoda 1
Volvo 1

How much it costs to repair a fault with seats and the interior

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with seats and the interior?

Among those we have analysed: Abarth 500 (unsuitable front right seat guides: the seat may not lock in place and could come loose (2016 campaign)), Honda Civic XI (Driver's seat frame breakage in Civics built in 2022), Nissan Juke II (recall over the rear seat backrest latch), Renault Master II (defective welds on the front seat mounting), Tesla Model Y (recall for incomplete welds in the seat structure (built 2022-2024)), Toyota Urban Cruiser (breakage of the front seat rail locking spring), Volkswagen ID.4 (insufficient bolting in the rear seat backrest mounting) and Volkswagen ID.7 (front seat backrest insufficiently secured by a faulty bolted joint). In total, 60 cars with documented faults with seats and the interior.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with seats and the interior?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €0, including VAT, based on the 11 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is recall over the rear seat backrest latch (Nissan Juke II).

What symptoms does a fault with seats and the interior cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, rust or corrosion on the bodywork or underside and electric windows or central locking not responding.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Rappel : la banquette arrière du Nissan Juke en causeCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 8 November 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. VW ID.4: bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Fiabilité Volkswagen ID.4 : pannes et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Renault Kangoo 2 : tous les problèmes et vices révélésfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Gebrauchtwageninfo: Renault Twingo (2007-2014)ADAC · Reliability study · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  6. Used Skoda Karoq reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Fiabilité Mercedes GLA 2 (H247, depuis 2020) : pannes et rappelsFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Used Audi Q2 reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Used SEAT Tarraco (Mk1, 2018-date) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Used Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1, 2017-2024) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Used Volkswagen Touran reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026