The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a major safety recall for the Volkswagen ID. the German automaker’s long-awaited all-electric minivan revivial: Buzz. The recall, which was announced [date not provided in query],includes thousands of vehicles and concerns the seating setup of the vehicle, which the group said might negatively impact the safety of passengers during some drive conditions.
Recall Details Description: How to Distinguish It’s important to know recall details before they become an issue.
Federal automotive regulators identified a specific problem with the width and design of the seats in the ID. Buzz that could interfere with the car’s ability to restrain passengers in the event of a crash. Early indications suggest that the seats in question do not deliver on a pair of stringent federal safety requirements for side support and positioning of a restraint, particularly for adult passengers who are over some threshold size limits.
NHTSA’s investigation, which was initiated based on numerous consumer complaints and internal quality reports from Volkswagen found that the seat design allows the belt to become mismounted during standard driving conditions. Such misalignment may compromise the security of safety restraints in the event of a crash, thereby creating a significant safety hazard for the occupants of the vehicle.
Impact on Volkswagen ID. Buzz Owners
ID line, it is estimated that some 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles could be affected by this recall across several model years of the ID. Buzz lineup. The recall covers both standard and long-wheelbase versions of the full-size, all-electric minivan, which include:
ID. Buzz Pro models
ID. Buzz Pro S variants
Long-wheelbase versions
Special edition packages
“While the defect is related to airbags, no airbag deployment has been attributed to this issue.” “No accidents or injuries have occurred due to this condition “Volkswagen Group of America is taking the safety of its consumers seriously … and is addressing the issue with the highest attention,” the company adds.
Background: The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Story
The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen’s optimistic attempt at resurrecting the microbus and the van’s re-imagined form uses the automaker’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform. First presented to the public in prototype form, the vehicle was displayed at the European market place and North American market place first. The vehicle had already created a lot of buzz courtesy of its nostalgic design, which harks back to the legendary Type 2 Microbus from the 1960s and 70s.
Offering seating for up to seven passengers in select configurations, that ID. Buzz was created to meet a variety of family needs and offer zero-emission mobility. The cavernous interior with seating that is configurable in numerous ways proved to be a major selling point for the vehicle, which is why this recall is particularly significant for any would-be buyers and current cruisers.
Specification Reudction Larger than the standard width of seats by about 2-3 inches compared to normal automotive seating, so that it is very difficult to route and belt through the car seat and wear the belt tightly.
Cushion Density Distribution 40 CFR Section 547.7The seat cushion material and the density map may permit excessive lateral movement of the occupant during cornering or emergency vehicle maneuvers, which may otherwise compromise the position of the occupant.
Side Bolster Design: The built in side bolsters are designed for every day comfort and may not hold you as well in aggressive driving.
Adjustment Cogs: Have you ever heard of adjustment cogs failing or moving on someone before?
Standards and compliance requirements (a) Federal Safety Standards.
Certain requirements for automotive seating systems are imposed by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), especially as to:
FMVSS 207: Seating Systems
FMVSS No. 208: Occupant Protection in FrontalFlowCrashInvolved the Base ChildSurrogate withUpperBodyFMVSS 213: ChildRestraint SystemsAverageAdultMale BodyCharacteristicsIn the late 1960s the federal government began requiring that vehicles be equipped with passive restraints.
FMVSS No. 210, “seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.”
Volkswagen’s internal testing had originally shown that it complied with these standards, however real-world use and further testing exposed the potential for some under-achievement in specific circumstances. NHTSA’s oversight will ensure that all safety critical steps are thoroughly and carefully followed by the automakers to make our roads even safer.
Recall Remediation Process
Volkswagen lays out a comprehensive plan to respond to recall:
Notification Schedule: Owners are to be notified on or about October 15,2019 and will receive an official letter of notification delivered by first class mail within 30-45 days of the notification date (October 15).
Dealer Service Appointments: Crutchfield says dealers will have replacement parts or install kits to fix the seat issue available.
Timeline for Repairs: The company calculates that repairs will take approximately 2-3 hours per vehicle, and dealers’ service personnel will schedule appointments based on the order in which Missourians made first contact to schedule those appointments, and the geographical location of the vehicle’s average place of garaging (APG).
Remedy: All repairs associated with this recall will be performed free of charge including parts, labor, and in some cases, diagnose.
Impact on Industry and Market
The recall serves as a reminder of continued strains in the fast changing electric car market, where makers are trying to innovate while meeting safety standards. Analysts said that although recalls are not uncommon in the auto industry, the recall might deal a blow to consumer confidence in VW’s strategy to transition the firm to electric vehicles.
The timing of the recall is especially notable as Volkswagen aggressively expands into the North American EV market. The ID. Buzz is a flagship model for the brand’s electric future, so the safety issue is a concern for the company as well as federal regulators.
Consumer Advice and Next Steps
Current ID. Buzz owners are advised to:
Drive normally while waiting for recall notice
Book the car for service on official communication at the closest possible date
Record any seat related concerns for dealer follow-up
Whom to contact for what when (immediate concerns) Conveniently, when you have an immediate concern and need to talk to someone you can contact Volkswagen directly to speak to someone (please be polite and respectful as it’s not their fault).
Please read warranty information for more details on additional coverage.
Future directions: Quality control measures
Following this recall, Volkswagen has revealed that it’s putting in place stricter quality checks for its electric vehicle facilities. These measures include:
Enhanced pre-delivery inspection process
Process Tolerances monNIT Real-time control of production tolerances
More rigorous supplier quality demands
Enhanced testing of seating parts for durability
expedited implementation of new design criteria
Comparative Context in the EV Market
Though recalls are common throughout the industry, the electric-conveyance market has experienced its share of high-profile recalls in recent years, highlighting how carmakers have been plagued by growing pains as they transition to new technology. But Volkswagen’s proactive address of this matter shows that the company does care about safety and company owner satisfaction.
Looking Ahead
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz seat recall is moment of truth for launch of vehicle. It’s alarming to think that the very thing that made these cars great (roomy seats) is now a safety issue, but Volkswagen’s quick reaction to the NTHSA’s findings is proof that regulation is necessary in keeping our cars safe. As the automaker initiatives the efforts to address these vehicles, the general implications to EV safety protocols and quality control checks will likely shape the standard in the industry in the future.
Today’s recall is a testament to the fact that in the era of high-tech electric powertrains and cutting-edge vehicle technology, basics such as seating systems still rule the roost when it comes to ensuring safety. As it grapples with the problem, Volkswagen’s dealings with tens of thousands of potentially vehicles illustrate what best practices for automakers responsible for addressing such safety issues in their electric vehicle lineups should be.