Latest round of recalls ensnares multiple brands

A RANGE of manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, Mazda and Subaru have issued recall notices on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) product safety website, citing faults ranging from incorrect airbag deployment to defective parking brakes.

Japanese manufacturer Subaru has recalled 4017 examples of its model year 2015 WRX and WRX STI performance sedans fitted with a Harman Kardon subwoofer, due to an electrical fault.

The subwoofer is prone to overheating if cargo in the boot area contacts the underside of the subwoofer, resulting in an electrical fault.

This can result in the risk of fire, regardless of the quality of the music played.

Ford has recalled examples of its Ranger pick-up and Everest SUV built between October 29, 2016 and January 27, 2017 due to an incorrect chemical mixture of the airbag initiators within the side airbag modules.

Mazda has also recalled 277 examples of its mechanically related BT-50 pick-up over the same issue.

The incorrect chemical mixture can cause the airbag inflator not to initiate, resulting in non-deployment in the event of a crash and an increased risk of injury to occupants.

Mercedes-Benz has called back examples of its C-Class, S-Class and GLC models, due to incorrectly functioning seatbelt tensioners.

Two separate recalls have been issued, one affecting 306 vehicles sold between September 30, 2016 and January 30, 2017 that concerns the passenger seatbelt, and the other concerning 223 vehicles sold between July 31 and November 30, 2016, this time over the driver’s belt.

The fault lies in the seatbelt tensioners potentially not deploying, which can lead to an increased risk of injury.

Mercedes has also issued a recall for 10,656 of its A-Class, B-Class and CLA-Class over a fault in the starter motor.

If the starter motor becomes blocked due to prior damage, or multiple starting attempts are made, the starting current limiter can be electrically overloaded and overheat, potentially resulting in a fire.

Lastly, 931 examples of the GLE large SUV sold between June 30, 2015 and June 29, 2017 have been recalled, due to an incorrect engine shut-off function.

The engine in affected vehicles may turn off when braking at low speed, and after an Eco start, may also shut off if the vehicle is accelerated slowly under a high load.

In the event of an engine shut-off, the car has to be re-started manually, increasing the risk of an accident.

South Korean car-maker Hyundai has called back 446 examples of its ix35 and Santa Fe SUVs sold between August 31 and November 1, 2011, over a defect in the fuel feed hose assembly.

Affecting models equipped with the four-cylinder diesel engine, the fault can result in a fuel leakage, which has the potential to start a fire in the engine compartment.

Hyundai has also recalled 894 Sonata medium sedans sold between May 6, 2014 and March 2, 2015, over a defect in the electric parking brake.

The fault is due to the parking brake switch potentially failing to alert the driver when the park brake is still engaged, which can increase the risk of the vehicle crashing and causing a hazard to other road users.

Toyota has issued recalls for a range of its 100 and 200 Series LandCruiser wagons due to the possibility of an incorrect specification airbag assembly being installed.

The recall affects a range of petrol and diesel-powered models, and can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

In all cases bar the Mercedes-Benz, owners will be contacted via mail, where they can arrange to have their car inspected and the fault fixed. Mercedes customers are encouraged to contact their nearest dealer to arrange a fix.

Anyone looking for additional information on the recalls can do so by visiting the ACCC’s product safety website.