Skoda India has issued a recall for 25,722 units of the Kushaq, Slavia and Kylaq, all manufactured between 24 May 2024 and 1 April 2025. If you own any of these, it’s time to pay closer attention to the back seat — not because it’s now more luxurious, but because the seatbelt might not be doing its job in a crash.
Here’s what we know so far:
What’s Gone Wrong?
Apparently, during internal quality checks, Skoda found that some rear seatbelt latches and buckles, particularly for the middle and right rear seat, could fail in the event of a frontal collision. Which is precisely the moment you’d like them to behave.
And just to clarify, this isn’t about the seatbelt warning chime that dings when you rest your shopping on the seat. This is a hardware issue, the kind that warrants a proper fix rather than a software update that says, “version 3.0.2 now includes restraint integrity.”
Models Affected
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Skoda Kushaq (Rs 11.99 lakh to Rs 18.79 lakh)
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Skoda Slavia (Rs 11.63 lakh to Rs 18.83 lakh)
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Skoda Kylaq (the newest one, barely launched, but already in the hall of fame)
The recall spans across variants and includes both 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre TSI engines, with outputs ranging from 115 bhp and 178 Nm, to 150 bhp and 250 Nm. So yes, whether your car zips to 100 kmph in under 9 seconds or not, your rear-seat passengers are equally involved in this development.
What Happens Next?
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No official Skoda statement yet, though the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has confirmed the recall.
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Expect Skoda to start contacting owners for free inspection and replacement.
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Until then, maybe stick to the front seats. Or, if you absolutely must use the back, maybe ask your passengers to sign a waiver.
Also affected are Skoda's platform cousins, the Volkswagen Virtus and Volkswagen Taigun, which face the same issue. So it’s not just a Skoda thing — it’s a family tradition.
What You Should Do
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Don’t panic. The car isn’t going to fall apart on the Western Express Highway.
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Wait for Skoda’s call. The company hasn’t released an official statement yet, but we expect them to get in touch with owners soon.
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Get it inspected. Once the process starts, you’ll be able to book a slot at your local dealership to get the faulty parts checked and replaced — free of cost, naturally.
Also, if you happen to own a Volkswagen Virtus or Taigun, you’re in the same slightly awkward boat. They share platforms and, as it turns out, a knack for problematic seatbelt buckles.
Can You Still Drive These Cars?
In theory, yes — as long as you’re not stuffing all five seats with people. The issue lies with the rear middle and right seatbelts, so it’s best to avoid using those until they’re fixed. If you must carry rear passengers, maybe make sure no one’s tailgating too enthusiastically.
Final Word
It’s a bit rich, isn’t it? For all the promises of German engineering and Czech precision, basic safety in the rear seat has been overlooked. Again. In 2025.
But on the bright side, at least this isn't one of those recalls where you pay to fix the manufacturer's mistake. That would be too clever.
