Rear center seat belt retractor assembly pre-locks when the rear seat is placed in the extended cargo position. This defect prohibits the use of right outboard seating position as well as the center seating position since the seat back cannot be returned to the use position. I have informed the dealership many times over the last several years in attempts to resolve this shortcoming. Dealership has been unable to correct the root cause of the problem. The vehicle is now out of warranty and VW now wants me to pay for the the repair (labor) with no garantee that this action will resolve the defect. As a result, I have disconnected the rear center seat belt assembly at the anchor near the floor to allow proper operation of the seat back and the right outboard seating position. This is a safety related issue that should be addressed since a safety device was defective when the vehicle was delivered.

- Carefree, AZ, USA