Seat Altea Xl reliability
The Seat Altea Xl fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 42.1% of 1,118 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
9 DVSA recalls for the Seat Altea Xl
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Issue: The front airbag in your SEAT vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the SEAT Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm) to arrange your recall service. Mobility assistance is available if needed.
Fix: For important safety reasons it is necessary to replace the inflator or driver/passenger seat’s airbag module of your vehicle.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 1 vehicles
Drivers side front airbag
On affected vehicles a deterioration of the driver airbag propellant could occur. In the event of an accident and the activation of the driver airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: The driver side front airbag gas generator must be replaced in all affected vehicles.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 1 vehicles
Driver's side front airbag
On affected vehicles a deterioration of the driver airbag propellant could occur. In the event of an accident and the activation of the driver airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: The driver side front airbag gas generator must be replaced in all affected vehicles.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 3,128 vehicles
Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
On vehicles with diesel engines and stop/start system the starter motor may be permanently activated because the return spring in the solenoid switch is bent or broken. If the permanent current supply to the starter motor is not noticed overheating of the component with local scorching damage and a vehicle fire is possible.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 1,943 vehicles
Abs/esc system may fail
On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
Fix: On affected vehicles install new software.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 9,703 vehicles
Fuel may leak
On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle.
Fix: Anti-vibration balance weights will be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 65 vehicles
Clutch may operate inadvertently with unexpected loss of drive.
In rare cases an incorrect interpretation of the clutch temperature can occur which results in the clutch opening unexpectedly with loss of drive.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and update/reprogramme gearbox control unit
Recalled models: ALTEA · 52 vehicles
Flywheel may fail
The two mass flywheel can become damaged because of a non-optimally designed through-flow restrictor in the clutch pressure pipe. This can lead to a total failure of the flywheel and under unfavourable circumstances to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and establish the manufacturer of the two mass flywheel. Where necessary replace the flywheel and the breather of the clutch pressure pipe.
Recalled models: ALTEA · 1,477 vehicles
Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break
It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.
Recalled models: ALTEA TOLEDO · 5,492 vehicles
Checking a Seat Altea Xl before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.