Porsche recalls Panamera

PORSCHE Cars Australia has recalled all examples of the German sportscar-maker’s first four-door sedan following seatbelt problems with its new Panamera.

Issued on April 13, the nationwide safety recall includes 152 versions of the 2010 Panamera s, 4S and Turbo sold in Australia, and relates to the locking mechanism of the front seatbelts.

“The seatbelt mount can become detached from the anchoring system when you fasten or open the seatbelt,” said Porsche. “The restraint function of the belt system can then no longer be guaranteed.”

The safety-related recall notice is unusual for Porsche and the first to affect its new four-seat grand tourer, which will soon be joined by a petrol V6 derivative that will lower its entry price by $77,000 to $193,000.

Apart from placing newspaper advertisements nationally, PCA says it will write to the owners of all affected vehicles in order to fit an additional locking element to hold the seatbelt mount in the correct position.