SEAT Altea recalls

8 official safety recalls for the SEAT Altea from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Front airbag inflator may rupture

    Reported July 23, 2025Model years 2009DVSA recall R/2025/34877 vehicles affected

    The ageing inflator propellant may explode when the airbag deploys, ejecting metal fragments that could cause life-threatening or fatal injuries. The inflator or driver or passenger airbag module will be replaced. Stop driving the vehicle.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
    Defect
    Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Issue: The front airbag in your SEAT vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the SEAT Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm) to arrange your recall service. Mobility assistance is available if needed.
    Remedy
    For important safety reasons it is necessary to replace the inflator or driver/passenger seat’s airbag module of your vehicle.

  2. Driver airbag housing may release fragments

    Reported July 16, 2024Model years 2011–2015DVSA recall R/2024/285EU Safety Gate A12/02776/241,813 vehicles affected

    Deteriorated propellant may cause fragments of the driver airbag generator housing to detach when the airbag deploys, potentially injuring occupants. The driver-side airbag gas generator will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Drivers side front airbag
    Defect
    On affected vehicles a deterioration of the driver airbag propellant could occur. In the event of an accident and the activation of the driver airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the vehicle occupants.
    Remedy
    The driver side front airbag gas generator must be replaced in all affected vehicles.

  3. Driver airbag inflator may rupture

    Reported April 10, 2024Model years 2008–2012DVSA recall R/2024/16020,412 vehicles affected

    The driver airbag propellant may deteriorate. If the airbag deploys in a crash, fragments of the inflator housing may detach and injure occupants. The driver airbag gas generator will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Driver's side front airbag
    Defect
    On affected vehicles a deterioration of the driver airbag propellant could occur. In the event of an accident and the activation of the driver airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the vehicle occupants.
    Remedy
    The driver side front airbag gas generator must be replaced in all affected vehicles.

  4. Starter motor may overheat and cause a fire

    Reported March 7, 2018Model years 2011DVSA recall R/2018/0607,772 vehicles affected

    A bent or broken solenoid return spring may keep the starter motor activated. If unnoticed, it may overheat, scorch nearby areas and cause a vehicle fire. The solenoid switch will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    STARTER MOTOR MAY MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT
    Defect
    On vehicles with diesel engines and stop/start system the starter motor may be permanently activated because the return spring in the solenoid switch is bent or broken. If the permanent current supply to the starter motor is not noticed overheating of the component with local scorching damage and a vehicle fire is possible.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.

  5. ABS/ESC system may fail

    Reported July 10, 2017Model years 2008–2010DVSA recall R/2017/216EU Safety Gate A12/1053/1719,406 vehicles affected

    An interrupted earth connection may cause the ABS/ESC system to fail. New software will be installed.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    ABS/ESC SYSTEM MAY FAIL
    Defect
    On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
    Remedy
    On affected vehicles install new software.

  6. High-pressure fuel pipes may leak

    Reported December 15, 2011Model years 2009DVSA recall R/2011/168130 vehicles affected

    Faulty material may cause high-pressure fuel pipes to leak over the vehicle's service life. Anti-vibration balance weights will be fitted to the pipes.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL MAY LEAK
    Defect
    On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle.
    Remedy
    Anti-vibration balance weights will be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.

  7. Clutch may open unexpectedly and cause loss of drive

    Reported November 30, 2009Model years 2008–2009DVSA recall R/2009/111104 vehicles affected

    An incorrect reading of clutch temperature may cause the clutch to open unexpectedly, resulting in loss of drive. The gearbox control unit will be updated or reprogrammed.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    CLUTCH MAY OPERATE INADVERTENTLY WITH UNEXPECTED LOSS OF DRIVE.
    Defect
    In rare cases an incorrect interpretation of the clutch temperature can occur which results in the clutch opening unexpectedly with loss of drive.
    Remedy
    Recall affected vehicles and update/reprogramme gearbox control unit

  8. Flywheel may fail

    Reported April 5, 2006Model years 2004–2005DVSA recall R/2006/0334,431 vehicles affected

    A poorly designed restrictor in the clutch pressure pipe may damage the dual-mass flywheel, potentially causing it to fail or, in unfavourable conditions, a vehicle fire. The flywheel and pipe breather will be replaced if necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FLYWHEEL MAY FAIL
    Defect
    The two mass flywheel can become damaged because of a non-optimally designed through-flow restrictor in the clutch pressure pipe. This can lead to a total failure of the flywheel and under unfavourable circumstances to a vehicle fire.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and establish the manufacturer of the two mass flywheel. Where necessary replace the flywheel and the breather of the clutch pressure pipe.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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