In a recent report by ANCAP, the Suzuki Fronx, which entered the Australian market in August, has been identified as having a significant seatbelt malfunction, alongside poor performance in crash tests.

During testing, it was discovered that in a frontal crash scenario, the rear seatbelt retractor failed, causing it to release unexpectedly. This malfunction resulted in test dummies being propelled forward without restraint, slamming into the front seat.

ANCAP noted that the vehicle had already failed the crash test before this issue was observed, due to the excessive force exerted on the chests of dummies seated in the rear.

Further tests using dummies representing a six-year-old and a 10-year-old child revealed alarming levels of neck tension and head acceleration.

Consequently, the Suzuki Fronx scored zero points in this critical safety evaluation.

It only received a score of 48 per cent in adult occupant protection and 40 per cent in child occupant protection, with the latter barely meeting the criteria for a one-star rating.

“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,” the report said.

Around 1300 Fronx cars have already been sold in Australia.

ANCAP has urged Suzuki to investigate and fix the problems, and said until this happened, it could not recommend passengers travel in the car.

“ANCAP’s view is that adult and child passengers should not travel in the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx,” ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said.

“The seatbelt component failure is rare and serious… 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.”

Suzuki Australia said it takes the report seriously.

“A thorough and disciplined investigation is underway, and Suzuki will take any actions required to uphold our safety standards and the trust our customers place in our brand,” the company said in a statement.

“This review is being progressed with urgency and at the highest levels of the organisation.”