Published
The ACCC is urging consumers who replaced their seatbelts or purchased vehicles with after-market seatbelts from 2008 to 2011 to check if they are labelled BVL.
Seatbelt labels are located where the outboard strap is attached to the vehicle, typically between the door and the seat.
- Consumers should immediately stop using these seatbelts.
- If they are installed in the driver’s seat, the vehicle should not be driven before repair.
- If they are installed in passenger seats, those seats should not be occupied until the seatbelt is repaired.
The New Zealand Product Safety regulator advises that the seatbelts have been recalled in New Zealand, however, more than 2,000 were exported to Australia.
The seatbelts were not supplied with new vehicles as original equipment, but as replacement car seatbelts and for retrofitting vans and buses.
NZ authorities have advised that the seatbelts are very unsafe, with two in three failing tests – and users may be seriously injured in an accident.
See: New Zealand Safety Alert (PDF)
The affected seatbelts were manufactured in China by Changzhou BWD or Jiang Siu Siu and are labelled as distributed by BVL Seat Belts.
The ACCC understands the seatbelts were supplied by Ray’s Auto Seat Australia Pty Ltd (NSW) and two other businesses who have since closed, Veh-Quip Australia (VIC) and Van Super Centre (NSW).
The ACCC is publishing one voluntary recall notified by Ray’s Auto Seat Australia Pty Ltd, who is still trading. Consumers who purchased their seatbelts from Ray’s Auto Seat Pty Ltd should follow the instructions provided in that voluntary recall.
Otherwise, consumers need to make urgent arrangements to replace affected seatbelts at their own cost.
Seatbelt test video
BVL/Changzhou BWD seatbelt test courtesy of the New Zealand Transport Authority