Hi, my mk2 Kodiaq SEL bought new in Nov 24 is currently at the dealer after the dash warning came up Proactive Occupant Protection System Is Restricted every time is start the car. I’m told the dealer is working with Skoda on a solution. The cars been there for 5 days and this isn’t filling me with confidence. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this?

it popped up on mine the other day but disappeared straight away and not seen it since. Is this the seat belt tightening thing?

Yes I think it is, mine came on and then stayed each time I started. The dealership is trying to do a software update with Skoda, but the cars been in a week so I’m thinking it’s not going well!

I’ve had quite a few warnings like this on both my Mk2 and Mk1.

I reckon it’s just the ectrickery having a bit of a brain fart.

Turn it off and on again and the problem goes away. My reasoning is that if the ‘fault’ was still there if would show up immediately.

so 2 weeks on and no further forward. Škoda are working on a tech download to fix the issue but no timescale. The dealer has swapped my polo loan car for a 25 plate Kodiaq Sportline. I think it’s going to be a long road ahead.

I have had this pop up a couple of times now. It’s always been within a few seconds of starting to drive, and appears and disappears in a few seconds.

I have a (refreshingly short) list of things that I will book the car in for …. It’s only a month old, so want to get all the small things together so they can hopefully fix them all in one visit …. But time will tell!

my car is all fixed now, it was a software update needed to fix the issue, which took a while for Skoda tech dept to solve. All done though and it came back with the dash satnav updated which was a bonus. Really good dealership service through this.

Glad to hear it got sorted!

How long did it take for things to get resolved?

On 22/06/2025 at 08:26, Jus said:

Hi, my mk2 Kodiaq SEL bought new in Nov 24 is currently at the dealer after the dash warning came up Proactive Occupant Protection System Is Restricted every time is start the car. I’m told the dealer is working with Skoda on a solution. The cars been there for 5 days and this isn’t filling me with confidence. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this?

My 2.0 TSI Sportline popped up with the exact same warning today for the first time as I was going shopping, even though I felt the seatbelt tighten as I pulled away. It didn't happen on my return journey. If yours is still resolved, can you please let us know what the software fix was, so I can let my dealer know - thanks!

On 29/09/2025 at 20:32, BabyDog said:

My 2.0 TSI Sportline popped up with the exact same warning today for the first time as I was going shopping, even though I felt the seatbelt tighten as I pulled away. It didn't happen on my return journey. If yours is still resolved, can you please let us know what the software fix was, so I can let my dealer know - thanks!

My Kodiaq now has the latest firmware, but guess what? I now see "Proactive occupant protection system restricted" EVERY time I start the car! The dealer also cleaned all sensors, radar module and checked the seatbelts. They tried their best and even showed me a video of the work. They also have a huge backlog of similar issues to look at for other customers, all are Kodiaqs.

I'm sorry to say that I'm now beyond ****ed off with this damn car and I'm now in touch with Trading Standards and BBC Watchdog to get this potentially dangerous piece of **** rejected!

Off the record... I also spoke to the salesman who sold me the car and he's leaving at the end of this month, mainly due to all the complaints - I don't blame him. He says that Skoda are having serious problems with the new Kodiaq, but have no fix and refuse to issue any recall.

Could software updates be making things worse and introducing new problems?

just been contacted to book in for my cars first service. Should I ask them not to update the firmware then? I did have the "Proactive occupant protection system restricted" once, but it disappeared on its own and hasn't come back (touch wood)

Anything else I should ask about when getting the service done?

5 hours ago, arovbukay said:

just been contacted to book in for my cars first service. Should I ask them not to update the firmware then? I did have the "Proactive occupant protection system restricted" once, but it disappeared on its own and hasn't come back (touch wood)

Anything else I should ask about when getting the service done?

Check your software version, mine is now 2630, but not 100% if it's the latest. I only had that "POPSR" error once in the first 3 months of ownership and it's now permanent, I even had it 6 times today! I'm wondering if it's either a batch of faulty radar modules or if there's other hard-to-get-to sensors that simply get dirty from picking up road grime. Either way, something is clearly very wrong with the design and/or testing of these cars.

My worry is now something critical failing in the event of an accident, eg. airbags, seatbelt tensioners?

Are there any experts on here that know of any fixes for the all-too-common problems with the Kodiaq mk2?

I've now been test driving replacement car not bound by these ridiculous EU rules. One was a Nissan X-Trail, but they really didn't want a '25 reg Kodiaq Sportline 2.0 TSI with only 1,200 miles and offered a p1ss-taking £24k for it, nearly 50% depreciation in around 4 months! I'm hoping that I can reject it (for close to what I paid) as I'd hate to sell it privately to someone that could be hurt if something fails at the worst time.

UPDATE: I've just had a friend-of-a-friend give my Kodiaq a scan as he was in my area looking at a VW Tayron R-Line with exactly the same problem. It appears to be a faulty seatbelt pretensioner on the front passenger side. All other sensors, cameras and radar on mine check out fine and the software is stable. I'm getting the report emailed to me early next week and I'll show it to my local dealer's service department as they should've spotted this. I've also spoken to a local solicitor (cost me £250) and I have grounds for rejection with a full refund if they fail to resolve this in one (yes one) visit - as it is a critical safety item and a possible MOT failure.

I confirmed it a few minutes ago with a front passenger. My seatbelt tightened upon pulling away, but their's didn't. I would never have known this if I was on my own.

Watch this space...

Edited 1 November, 20251 Nov by BabyDog
Fat fingers.

I don't want to discourage you, but Skoda won't accept your acquaintance's diagnostic report. What tool did he use to read the error code? The keyword here is "phantom error." Furthermore, Skoda recently published a 17-page TPI (Technical Product Information) document where seemingly every control unit receives an update.

@Cairus can you explain what a TPI is … is that some instructions to a dealer to carry out a specific task, or does it imply there is a software update for each of those control units?

A TPI (Technical Product Information) is simply technical product information. It doesn't obligate the retailer to do anything.

3 hours ago, Cairus said:

A TPI (Technical Product Information) is simply technical product information. It doesn't obligate the retailer to do anything.

Skoda has one opportunity to resolve the issues with my Kodiaq (POPSiR is only one of several). I'm not sure where you reside, but we have strict consumer laws in the UK which I will be making use of. Skoda UK already have a letter from my solicitor and my local dealer was copied. Sorry, but I don't accept "phantom error" as there is clearly a hard fault (no longer intermittent) whether it be software or hardware. I've already had a response and my dealer has agreed to look at this 3rd party report and also scan again themselves with me being there. I'm lucky in that my dealer is trying to be helpful, even out of hours. Since it's now a permanent error, they'll witness it this time. They have this one chance to avoid litigation and I'll fight it all the way if I have to.

It is against the law in the UK to supply a product where the advertised safety systems aren't fully operational.

Anyway, how does one get hold of this TPI? Any "ammo" will help my case and those of others - thanks!

Sorry, but I'm not one to get fobbed off and I demand everything advertised to be 100% reliable, nothing else will do.

I've rejected two cars successfully in the past, so I know how to kick up a stink, and win.

Thanks to all for input and replies as that's what this space is for.

What you do is entirely your decision...what the dealer does, he does at his own risk. To receive money from Skoda for working on your car, the dealer must adhere to Skoda's rules.

4 minutes ago, Cairus said:

What you do is entirely your decision...what the dealer does, he does at his own risk. To receive money from Skoda for working on your car, the dealer must adhere to Skoda's rules.

I'm aware of that which is why my letter was directed at Skoda UK. I had no choice as they never replied to my calls or emails. Once they see evidence of the faults they should have a duty to respond. A solicitor's letter is rarely ignored and I'll not hesitate to pursue a court order as a next step.

More importantly, they have to adhere to the laws in the countries in which they operate in as well as comply with head office business processes.

You say it's my decision, I actually have no choice as my don't believe that my car is as safe as it should be, and I hate getting in it now. If I don't get "legal" with them, nothing will ever get done.

Since some of you appear to have similar issues fixed, are they still fixed or have the issues returned? If all is OK what is your software version please? Mine is 2630 and seemed to introduced new issues since... tailgate no longer opens using remote, front passenger window opened twice by itself, map no longer displays in cockpit, unfastened seatbelt warning remains even when rear passengers are buckled in correctly, left wing mirror no longer dips when reversing and my GF's iPhone no longer connects (my Android still does). Before you ask... Yes, I checked the settings and nothing has changed. Also the 12v battery is good and charges normally.

Yes... I have a 🍋 ;-(

sounds like a proper sh!t show :( taking mine in for my first service tomorrow, checked the Software version, it's 2460- should I get it updated? I've not had any issues and don't want the hassle if taking it back. Another annoying thing, they wanted to charge me £30 for a courtesy car - never had that before with any other manufacturer.

3 hours ago, arovbukay said:

sounds like a proper sh!t show :( taking mine in for my first service tomorrow, checked the Software version, it's 2460- should I get it updated? I've not had any issues and don't want the hassle if taking it back. Another annoying thing, they wanted to charge me £30 for a courtesy car - never had that before with any other manufacturer.

That's a difficult one to answer. I'd be tempted to stay on 2460 after the experience I've had, but the cause of my issues could still be something else entirely like dodgy wiring, sensors or some sort of incompatibility that seems to make it all go haywire. If I were you, mention the issues on here to your dealer and see how they react. My gut would say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Your call...

What model do you have?

50 minutes ago, BabyDog said:

That's a difficult one to answer. I'd be tempted to stay on 2460 after the experience I've had, but the cause of my issues could still be something else entirely like dodgy wiring, sensors or some sort of incompatibility that seems to make it all go haywire. If I were you, mention the issues on here to your dealer and see how they react. My gut would say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Your call...

What model do you have?

1.5 Petrol Sportline

If you get an error, one of the first things the dealer would do will be to make sure the latest update is installed.

If you do not get an error, you might stick with the version you have, though usually the updates are for fixing things and even if an error occurs, it is swiftly corrected through a new patch, they don't want issues.