Fiat Barchetta Recall R/1996/021: Security Of Seat Belt, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 12 Mar 1996
- Launched
- 12
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1996/021
- DVSA reference
Fiat recalled Barchetta vehicles. A number of the subject vehicles have been fitted with seat belts manufactured by TRW the attachment systems of which may not remain secure in an accident situation. The dealer will check the date of production on the seat belt buckles and replace those within the critical batch. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
A number of the subject vehicles have been fitted with seat belts manufactured by TRW the attachment systems of which may not remain secure in an accident situation.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SECURITY OF SEAT BELT Defect: A number of the subject vehicles have been fitted with seat belts manufactured by TRW the attachment systems of which may not remain secure in an accident situation. Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles check the date of production on the seat belt buckles and replace those within the critical batch.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: security of seat belt.
The Fix
The dealer will check the date of production on the seat belt buckles and replace those within the critical batch.
Are You Affected?
Barchetta may be included. Fiat estimates 12 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Fiat, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Fiat.
- Book with any franchised Fiat dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1996/021. See how to get a Fiat recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500XIf rear seat belts are not fastened and pretensioners are deployed the latch could be released | Urgent | R/2018/216 | |
| PuntoFront seat belt pretensioner may malfunction during deployment | Urgent | R/2017/229 | |
| 500 AbarthFront seatbelts may not function as intended | Urgent | R/2015/077 | |
| 500, PandaFront seatbelts may not function as intended | Urgent | R/2015/076 | |
| IdeaRear seat belt anchorage point not conforming | Urgent | R/2004/144 |
This is one of 199 Fiat recalls in DVSA’s data. The Fiat recall launched before it was R/1995/054 on 27 Jul 1995, for possible damage to brake pipes. The one launched after it was R/1997/080 on 24 Nov 1997, for possible loss of brake servo assistance. You can also see every Fiat recall, all recalls launched in 1996 and seat belt recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1996/021, launched 12 March 1996. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.