CONSUMER ALERT: One-star safety for Suzuki Fronx, testing reveals component failure

ANCAP’s independent testing of the Suzuki Fronx has resulted in the vehicle narrowly reaching the threshold for a one-star ANCAP safety rating, following poor performance in key crash tests and low levels of occupant protection for both adults and children.

In addition to its poor overall crash performance, ANCAP testing identified a serious and separate safety concern, with a rear seatbelt failure occurring during the full width frontal crash test. This component failure has been reported to Australian and New Zealand vehicle safety regulators.

Crash testing showed the Suzuki Fronx delivered poor levels of occupant protection for both adults and children. In the full width frontal test, excessive chest loads were recorded for the rear passenger, exceeding ANCAP performance thresholds and resulting in the score being capped under ANCAP assessment protocols.

Key body regions of both the 10-year-old and 6-year-old child occupants were also capped at zero points, due to high head acceleration and excessive neck tension.

During the full width frontal test, the rear passenger seatbelt retractor of the Suzuki Fronx failed, resulting in an uncontrolled seatbelt release where the rear dummy became unrestrained, allowing it to strike the rear of the front seat.

While the component failure is serious, the vehicle had already received zero points in the full width frontal test before the failure occurred, due to the high chest load recorded.

Importantly, the one star rating reflects the Fronx’s overall crash performance - particularly the performance of its structure and restraint systems - and is not a consequence of the separate seatbelt component failure.

ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg, said the findings highlight the importance of independent vehicle safety testing.

“The seatbelt component failure is rare and serious. ANCAP exists to give consumers confidence, and when our tests reveal results of this nature, we will act in their best interest by communicating our findings promptly and transparently.”

“What concerns us is that this particular vehicle could have been purchased by an ordinary consumer, and in an on-road crash this failure could have had serious consequences for the person sitting in the back seat.”

Approximately 1,300 Fronx vehicles have already been sold in Australia, with a further 1,000 sold in New Zealand.

“ANCAP’s view is that adult and child passengers should not travel in the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx until the reason for the failure has been determined and relevant rectifications have been carried out.”

ANCAP advises consumers to be aware of this component failure if considering purchasing a Suzuki Fronx prior to Suzuki demonstrating that the component failure has been investigated and addressed.

“Consumers expect, and deserve, vehicles that meet the fundamental standards of occupant protection. We are calling on Suzuki to act quickly and decisively to ensure that all affected vehicles are identified and rectified without delay,” Ms Hoorweg said.

“This is the third component failure revealed through independent safety testing in recent months. ANCAP encourages all manufacturers to bring their vehicles forward for testing ahead of market release as it allows the opportunity for issues to be identified and rectified before vehicles reach consumers and are driven on Australian and New Zealand roads.”

Full details on the safety performance of the Suzuki Fronx can be viewed at http://ancap.link/s/cb710f.