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Climate control, bodywork and interior

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

We have documented 36 faults with seats and the interior in 35 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), recall over the rear seat backrest latch (Nissan Juke II) and recall for incomplete welds in the seat structure (built 2022-2024) (Tesla Model Y).

Documented faults
36
24 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
35
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
35
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

10 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 severityOccasionalFrequency: 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 severityOccasionalFrequency: 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
  3. 3Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  4. 4Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  5. 5Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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
  6. 6High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  7. 7High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  8. 8High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  9. 9High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  10. 10High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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
  11. 11High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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
  12. 12High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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
  13. 13High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  14. 14Critical severityRareFrequency: 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.
  15. 15Critical severityRareFrequency: 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
  16. 16Critical severityRareFrequency: 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.
  17. 17Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  18. 18Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  19. 19Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  20. 20High severityRareFrequency: 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
  21. 21High severityRareFrequency: 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.
  22. 22High severityRareFrequency: 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.
  23. 23High severityRareFrequency: 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
  24. 24High severityRareFrequency: 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
  25. 25High severityRareFrequency: 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.
  26. 26High severityRareFrequency: 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
  27. 27High severityRareFrequency: 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.
  28. 28Medium severityRareFrequency: 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.
  29. 29Medium severityRareFrequency: 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.
  30. 30Low severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  31. 31Low severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  32. 32Low severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  33. 33Low severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  34. 34Low severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  35. 35Low severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  36. 36Low severityRareFrequency: 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.

Problems with seats and the interior by make

Problems with seats and the interior in your car

1 car has several documented faults with seats and the interior. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect it, by engine and by year.

Škoda 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)), Nissan Juke II (recall over the rear seat backrest latch), 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), Škoda Karoq (rear head restraints with a faulty weld), Cupra Ateca (front seat frame defect (2019 recall)) and Fiat Scudo III (insufficient mounting of the front and second-row seats). In total, 35 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 10 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: 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. 1.Rappel : la banquette arrière du Nissan Juke en causeCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 8 November 2021 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. 2.VW ID.4: bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. 3.Fiabilité Volkswagen ID.4 : pannes et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. 4.Fiabilité Renault Kangoo 2 : tous les problèmes et vices révélésfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. 5.Used Skoda Karoq reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. 6.Fiabilité Mercedes GLA 2 (H247, depuis 2020) : pannes et rappelsFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. 7.Used Audi Q2 reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. 8.Used SEAT Tarraco (Mk1, 2018-date) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. 9.Used Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1, 2017-2024) reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. 10.Used Volkswagen Touran reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026