Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Maserati issue recalls

NUMEROUS car-makers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Maserati have all issued recalls for various models on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website, for defects in manufacturing.

Ford has recalled both its Focus small car and popular Kuga mid-size SUV for two unrelated faults which could result in a fire, with 42,988 of the former and 8878 of the latter affected.

In the case of the Focus, Ford has identified that under certain conditions, small cars built between April 12, 2011 and September 29, 2015 could take in excessive levels of dust which could cause a blockage in the carbon canister and crack the fuel tank.

If the fuel tank cracks, fuel could leak and increase the risk of a fire starting.

Ford’s Kuga on the other hand, faces a potential fire risk from the vehicle’s insulation material heating up.

Affected vehicles are built from December 11, 2012 to June 19, 2014 and could occur in the event of a vehicle collision severe enough to deploy the front seatbelt retractor pre-tensioner, where the insulation material could face a concentrated heat source and ignite.

Owners of both Ford models will be contacted by mail where they can take their vehicles into a dealership for inspection and repair free of charge.

Mercedes-Benz has called back all examples of its GLE, GLS and GL SUV models sold between October 1, 2015 and August 1, 2016 for a fault in the electric power steering control unit.

According to the premium German brand, moisture could intrude the component and interfere with signal transmissions, resulting in the failure of power steering which would increase the risk of an accident occurring.

Mercedes says it will contact all affected owners by mail where they can arrange a time at a local dealership for free repair work.

Some model year 2016 and 2017 Volvo S90 sedans and XC90 SUVs have also been recalled for a potentially incorrectly installed air conditioning drainage hose.

If the piping were to fail, water could enter the passenger compartment and the air-conditioner could cease functioning properly. In extreme situations, moisture could seep into other electrical systems, posing a risk to occupants.

S90s affected wear a vehicle identification number (VIN) range from 000001 to 005452 while at risk XC90s start from 000064 to 129750.

According to the Swedish car-maker, “affected owners should contact their nearest Volvo dealer to arrange an inspection and repair of the vehicle”.

Finally, Maserati’s local importer Ateco has issued a recall for the 1347 examples of its Quattroporte, Ghibli and Levante models for an improperly installed seat wiring harness which could potentially render the seat adjustment inoperable.

The wiring harness could rub against the metal points of the seat and seat frame assembly, which, over time, could expose the wires and cause an electrical short.

Maserati will contact all owners of affected vehicles where they will be informed to bring their vehicles into a dealership for inspection and repair.