Mazda, Merc, VW recall 6149 cars

MAZDA, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have recalled a total of 6149 vehicles sold in Australia to rectify a range of manufacturing faults ranging from a possible fuel pump leak, faulty seat construction and a compromised seat belt.

The largest number of affected vehicles falls to Mazda and its RX-8 sportscars built between July 2003 and March 2009, with 5401 examples requiring remedial work to replace fuel pump retaining rings.

Under certain circumstances, insufficient heat insulation could cause excessive heating of the retaining rings and the subsequent failure of the part. In addition, a reaction force applied by the rubber pump gasket could exacerbate the problem increasing the likelihood of a fuel leak.

Customers will be contacted by post to arrange remedial work at a Mazda dealership of their convenience, which will involve the replacement of degraded pump rings as well as the addition of extra heat insulation to prevent the problem recurring.

Volkswagen is recalling 707 examples of its freshly-launched Tiguan mid-sized SUV for inspection fewer than three months after it launched.

According to the German car-maker, a process error during second-row seat manufacturing can produce defective welds, which may compromise the strength of the seat frame during a collision and pose a slight risk to rear occupants.

Volkswagen will contact customers of the 707 effected cars to arrange inspection of the Tiguan and repair work where necessary, but owners are free to contact the Volkswagen Group Australia Customer Experience Centre with enquiries.

In the same week, Mercedes-Benz has also weighed into the recalls with a small run of 41 S-Class coupe models, which require investigation of a potential seatbelt hand-over device.

Incorrect coding in some rear control modules prevents hand-over unit retraction, which could cause damage to the extended arm, resulting in a sharp edge, but, in more serious circumstances, could prevent the seatbelt correctly restraining the occupant.

Mercedes has not said if impacted vehicles will require simple reprogramming work or replacement parts but, as with all the latest recalls, no remedial work will be charged to the customer.

Vehicles built between November 2015 and March 2016 may be effected and the German car-maker will contact owners of the relevant vehicles, but for further enquiries and information, customers can contact Mercedes-Benz Australia directly.

The recall notices have been issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and consumers can search the Product Safety Australia branch of the website to find up to date information on all recalls.