Bentley Bentayga recall exposes seat and dashboard fault
Bentley has recalled certain 2017 Bentayga SUVs in the US after discovering that seat and instrument panel bolts may not have been properly tightened during assembly.
Bentley has issued a recall for certain 2017 Bentayga SUVs sold in the United States, after identifying that bolts securing the seat mechanism and instrument panel may not have been properly tightened during assembly. The issue affects vehicles produced at the Crewe plant between 1 March and 30 September 2016.
The recall follows a notification from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which stated that loose bolts could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Bentley will notify affected owners later in the month. Dealers will inspect the seat and dashboard fixings, tightening them if necessary. No injuries or accidents related to the fault have been reported so far.
Scope of the recall
The recall applies only to a specific batch of Bentayga SUVs built for the 2017 model year. Bentley began producing the Bentayga at Crewe in 2016, with US deliveries starting in March 2017. The affected vehicles were assembled during the early production period, before the company identified the assembly issue.
The Bentayga is Bentley’s first SUV, positioned at the top end of the luxury market, with prices for well-specified examples easily exceeding £200,000. The recall is therefore notable given the brand’s reputation for meticulous craftsmanship and high standards. The affected models were among the first to reach customers after Bentley’s launch into the SUV segment.
Implications for Bentley and owners
A recall on a flagship model at this price point is an embarrassment for Bentley, though the company has moved quickly to address the problem. For owners, the inconvenience is limited to a dealer visit, but it raises questions about quality control during the early stages of Bentayga production.
