Fiat Punto Recall R/1998/027: Seat Belt Pre Tensioners May Fail To Activate, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 11 May 1998
- Launched
- 24,504
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1998/027
- DVSA reference
Fiat recalled Punto vehicles built between 1 March 1997 and 30 November 1997. On some Punto vehicles it has been found that the seat belt pre-tensioners may fail to activate although normal activation of the seat belt is assured. The recall notice describes the fix as: shorten the safety tabs in the inertia reel. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
On some Punto vehicles it has been found that the seat belt pre-tensioners may fail to activate although normal activation of the seat belt is assured.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SEAT BELT PRE TENSIONERS MAY FAIL TO ACTIVATE Defect: On some Punto vehicles it has been found that the seat belt pre-tensioners may fail to activate although normal activation of the seat belt is assured. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles to shorten the safety tabs in the inertia reel.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: seat belt pre tensioners may fail to activate.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: shorten the safety tabs in the inertia reel.
Are You Affected?
Punto built between 1 March 1997 and 30 November 1997 may be included. Fiat estimates 24,504 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/1998/027. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PuntoFront seat belt pretensioner may malfunction during deployment | Urgent | R/2017/229 | |
| PuntoVehicle may roll away | Urgent | R/2014/005 | |
| 500, Doblo, Fiorino, Punto and 1 moreBraking efficiency may be reduced | Urgent | R/2012/139 | |
| Abarth, Punto, Punto GrandeFire may occur | Urgent | R/2011/023 | |
| 500, Abarth, Punto, Punto GrandeThe wrong airbag may deploy in a collision | Urgent | R/2010/117 |
This is one of 199 Fiat recalls in DVSA’s data. The Fiat recall launched before it was R/1997/086 on 20 Mar 1998, for possible reduction in brake servo assistance. The one launched after it was R/1997/084 on 23 Dec 1998, for fracture of front coil springs. You can also see every Fiat recall, all recalls launched in 1998 and seat belt recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1998/027, launched 11 May 1998. 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.