Cedar Motors Limited, the official distributor of Renault vehicles in Ireland, has announced a voluntary recall of certain Renault Austral SUVs due to a seat retraction fault that could pose a risk of injury to rear-seat passengers.
The recall, issued on 26 March 2024, affects 376 vehicles in the Republic of Ireland, manufactured between 21 April 2022 and 28 November 2023.
Affected Vehicles
- Model: Renault Austral
- Production period: 21 April 2022 – 28 November 2023
- Number of vehicles affected in Ireland: 376
Details of the Fault
The issue relates to the “Driver/Passenger Easy Access” function:
- When this function is enabled, the front seat automatically retracts for easier entry and exit.
- During retraction, the front seatback may come into contact with a rear passenger.
- This can result in leg injuries for passengers seated in the rear.
Risks
- Injury risk to rear passengers, particularly leg injuries, if seated directly behind a retracting front seat.
- Increased risk when Easy Access mode is active.
- No impact on vehicle drivability, but passenger safety is compromised.
What Owners Should Do
- Renault Ireland will contact affected owners directly.
- Owners should schedule an appointment with their authorised Renault dealer.
- Dealers will apply a software and/or mechanical fix to prevent contact during seat retraction.
- The corrective action will be carried out free of charge.
How to Check if Your Car is Affected
- Enter your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the Renault recall checker.
- Contact your local Renault dealer for confirmation.
- Verify details via the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) recall database.
Official Sources
FAQs
Q: What is the issue with the Renault Austral recall?
A: The front seat may retract into the rear passenger space, potentially causing leg injuries to rear passengers.
Q: How many Renault Austral SUVs are affected in Ireland?
A: A total of 376 vehicles, built between April 2022 and November 2023.
Q: Is it safe to drive the car before the recall repair?
A: Yes, but Renault advises caution and recommends disabling the Easy Access function until the repair is completed.
Q: Will the repair cost owners anything?
A: No. All recall repairs will be carried out free of charge at authorised Renault dealers.
Disclaimer
This article is based on official recall information provided by Cedar Motors Limited (Renault Ireland) and the CCPC. Owners should confirm recall eligibility with Renault Ireland or their authorised dealer.
