Suzuki Fronx earns a single‑star safety rating in ANCAP crash test – seat belt fault triggers recalls in Australia and New Zealand
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has put the Suzuki Fronx on the safety map – but not in a good way. In a December 2025 crash test, the compact SUV was slammed for a “poor” performance, receiving only one star out of five. A rare seat‑belt failure was also uncovered, forcing recalls in Australia and New Zealand.
Image: Suzuki
What did ANCAP find?
In the most recent ANCAP assessment, the Fronx was slammed in a frontal collision and the results were disappointing. The vehicle scored just one star for safety overall – a rating that reflects a lack of protection for occupants. In addition, the tester discovered that a seat‑belt release mechanism could fail under impact, a flaw that has never been seen before in ANCAP testing.
Because the defect could jeopardise passenger safety, the Australian and New Zealand authorities have issued recalls covering all Fronx models sold in those markets. The recall is limited to the two countries, so it does not yet affect buyers elsewhere.
How is Suzuki reacting?
Suzuki Motor Corporation is keeping an eye on the situation. While Suzuki Auto South Africa has not released an official statement, the company says it is monitoring the issue closely and will stay aligned with its parent company if the matter moves forward.
Industry observers are watching to see whether this test will ripple into other models that share the Fronx platform – notably the Toyota Starlet Cross. For now, buyers in Australia and New Zealand should check whether their vehicle has been called back and get the required repairs done promptly.
