Holden recalls Epica

GM HOLDEN has recalled 2724 examples of its diesel-powered Epica due to a potential fuel hose leak that could lead to a fire, just days after Chrysler called back more than 100 Voyagers to replace incorrect brake pads.

According to a Holden safety recall notice issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on December 5, the fuel feed hose in certain 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Epica sedan models “could potentially leak diesel fuel, resulting in a remote possibility of fire or a hazard to other road users”.

Holden will write to the owners of all affected vehicles, including model year 2009 Epicas with vehicle identification numbers (VINs) ranging between KL3LA69RJ9B137502 and KL3LA69RJ9B529009, MY2010 cars with KL3LA69RJAB000281 to KL3LA69RJAB099015 VINs and MY2011 cars with KL3LA69RJBB005838 to KL3LA69RJBB065472 VINs.

It said the problem is due to a potential manufacturing defect within the fuel feed hose of the Korean-built mid-sizer, which will be replaced next year by the all-new Malibu sedan.

Left: Chrysler Voyager.

Meantime, Chrysler last week issued a safety recall notice for its Voyager people-mover, 103 examples of which were fitted with incorrect brake pads that “may lead to reduced braking capacity and increase the risk of an accident occurring”.

Chrysler says it will write all affected owners to fit compliant brake pads to their vehicles, which include certain MY2011 models.

While the Voyager call-back is Chrysler’s first Australian recall since 2009, the Epica problem is Holden’s seventh recall this year, including one last month to fix a possible diesel leak on more than 16,000 Korean-made Series 1 Captivas.