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Fronx Safety Fiasco: Rear Seatbelt Fails, Sales Halted
24 Dec
Summary
- Suzuki Fronx sales stopped in New Zealand after one-star safety rating.
- A rear seatbelt retractor failed during crash testing, releasing excessive belt.
- Authorities urge owners not to use rear seats due to injury risk.
Suzuki has suspended sales of its Fronx model in New Zealand following a concerning one-star safety rating from ANCAP. The decision comes after a rear seatbelt retractor failed during laboratory crash testing, releasing too much belt and leaving a dummy unrestrained.
This critical failure prompted the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to advise Fronx owners against carrying passengers in the rear seats. Suzuki New Zealand has issued a manufacturer's recall, dated December 23, 2025, urging owners to immediately stop using the rear seats due to increased injury risk in collisions.
The Fronx was introduced in New Zealand in June 2025 and in Australia in August 2025. While sales have been strong in India, where it is sold as the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, its safety performance in that market is yet to be assessed by local agencies.
