SUVs dominate latest round of recalls

SUZUKI’S Grand Vitara, Land Rover’s Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Evoque models, the Lamborghini Aventador, Mitsubishi’s ASX, as well as the Volkswagen Golf wagon and Passat have all been recalled due to separate manufacturing issues.

Almost 2000 Grand Vitara SUVs – 1271 five-doors and 653 three-doors – sold between June 2008 and June 2013 are affected by Suzuki’s recall, which was issued due to a potentially weak gear shift rear shaft.

If broken, drivers will no long be able to operate their vehicles as the gear shift operation will become impossible.

A list of affected vehicle identification numbers (VIN) can be found on the Australian competition and consumer commission (ACCC) website, or concerned owners can contact Suzuki Australia on 1800 777 088 or via email at [email protected].

Once identified, vehicles will have countermeasure parts installed by authorised Suzuki dealerships free of charge to owners.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has also issued a call back for three of its models, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Evoque, for the possibility that the front passenger airbag may not deploy in the event of a crash.

The fault stems from chemicals used in the safety technology, which may not meet standards, and affects 42 SUVs sold in the two month period between August 31, 2016 and October 31 of the same year.

To date, no identified cases of an airbag failure have been reported.

JLR will contact affected customers via mail, wherein owners will be directed towards their nearest dealership for inspection and replacement of the front passenger airbag. All repairs will be conducted free of charge.

104 examples of Lamborghini’s flagship Aventador have also been recalled by the Italian supercar-maker for a fuel overfilling issue.

Under “particular handling conditions”, according to Lamborghini, and with an overfilled petrol tank, fuel could reach the carbon canister resulting in the potential failure in the evaporative emission control system (EVAP).

With the system – which is designed to prevent petrol vapours seeping into the atmosphere – out of commission, a fire could result if the vapours come into contact with hot gases from the engine, “especially if a non-approved aftermarket exhaust system is fitted”, according to Lamborghini.

Affected owners, who will be contacted by mail, can bring their Aventadors to a Lamborghini dealership for an inspection and upgrade of the EVAP system.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited has also issued a call back for 25,016 examples of its ASX crossover sold between 2011 and 2014 for a possible failure in the front windshield wipers.

Water may seep into the wiper motors and could lead to rust or seizure, and if driven in wet weather, could obscure the driver’s view if the wiper function is inoperable.

MMAL will contact owners by mail once parts become available and advises communication with local dealerships to organise inspection and repair work, but concerned owners can also call 1300 131 211 for more information.

Finally, Volkswagen Group Australia is recalling 2377 examples of its 2016 and 2017 Golf wagon and Passat passenger cars for an error in the software controlling the headlights, daytime running lights, rear fog lights and indicators.

The glitch can cause functioning lights to read as inoperative, as well as damaged lights to come up as working, which could lead to dangerous low light situations for occupants and other road users.

Customers with affected vehicles will be written to by mail and can contact a Volkswagen dealership for inspection and fixing of the body control module software.