MG MG3 recalled over seat failure

MG Motor Australia has recalled more than 10,000 examples of its second-generation MG3 hatch to rectify a potentially deadly driver’s seat defect identified during Euro NCAP testing earlier this year.

According to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDCA), the inner side of the driver’s seat cushion frame “may move forward and downwards” in a crash, “inadvertently contacting the unlocking lever and then the locking pin, thereby causing the inboard rail to unlock”.

In simple terms: the seat may partially collapse and unlatch the adjustor mechanism, allowing it to slide forward on the rails.

“During the European New Car Assessment Programme’s (Euro NCAP) testing for the MG3 conducted earlier in 2025, the driver side seat (with 6-way manual adjustment) slid forward by 111.5 millimetres on the side closest to the centre console upon collision,” MG said in a statement.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) testers noted the twisting of the seat’s right-side adjustor when pouring over the light hatch’s NCAP results for local application and described it as a “cause for caution”.

Even so, no penalties were applied before the three-star local rating was awarded.

MG has confirmed it is contacting affected owners directly to inform them of the recall and arrange a complimentary repair.

“Owners are encouraged to contact their local MG Motor service centre as soon as possible to arrange a visit where MG Motor will fit an additional component to the driver’s seat rail of their MG3,” the brand said in the same statement as above.

“This fitment will be conducted at no charge. The component will ensure optimal performance and safety and is estimated to take from 30 minutes up to one hour [to complete].”

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