SEAT Altea, Leon Recall R/2017/216: Abs/esc System May Fail, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 10 Jul 2017
- Launched
- 9,703
- vehicles in the UK
- 45G5
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
SEAT recalled Altea, Leon vehicles built between 1 May 2008 and 31 May 2010. With ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles install new software. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
With ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: 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.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles install new software. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
Altea, Leon built between 1 May 2008 and 31 May 2010 may be included. SEAT estimates 9,703 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with SEAT, 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 SEAT.
- Book with any franchised SEAT dealer, quoting the campaign code 45G5 or the DVSA reference R/2017/216. See how to get a SEAT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra, Altea, Exeo, LeonTakata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement | Stop driving | R/2025/348 | |
| Alhambra, Altea, Leon, ToledoDrivers side front airbag | Urgent | R/2024/285 | |
| Alhambra, Altea, LeonDriver's side front airbag | Urgent | R/2024/160 | |
| Cupra Formentor, LeonIn certain vehicles within a range of specified VINs it has been detected that an engine support that did not receive the correct heat treatment may have been fitted | Low | R/2023/294 | |
| Alhambra, Ateca, Ibiza, Leon and 1 moreFront driver airbag replacement | Urgent | R/2023/273 |
This is one of 72 SEAT recalls in DVSA’s data. The SEAT recall launched before it was R/2017/212 on 7 Jul 2017, for parts of the front seat belt pretensioner(s) pyrotechnical system could enter the cabin. The one launched after it was R/2017/237 on 7 Aug 2017, for steering column uj pinch bolt mat not be tightened to correct specification. You can also see every SEAT recall, the SEAT Leon recall history, all recalls launched in 2017 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2017/216, launched 10 July 2017. 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.