Holden recalls Commodore again

HOLDEN has issued its third safety recall in less than three months on its top-selling Commodore, this time on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuelled models.

A slow leak in a fuel hose and a potentially faulty fuel feed valve are the latest faults to be discovered, with separate recall notices posted with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

The latest recalls on 3472 gas-fuelled Commodores and Caprices brings the total recall count on the locally built large car to more than 80,000 this year.

In one of the latest recalls, Holden says it has identified a condition where the LPG excess flow valve might restrict fuel supply to the engine, resulting in reduced engine performance.

“In this circumstance, the driver will no longer be able to increase engine speed when commanded, potentially posing an accident hazard to the driver and other road users,” the Holden notice says.

Holden product communications manager Mark Flintoff said 11 confirmed cases of the faulty valve had been found in the field by dealers.

This recall affects 2012-14 VE and VF Commodores and WM and WN Caprice models fitted with LPG systems and built between February 10 2011 and June 19 2014.

The other recall affects only 2014 model-year VF Commodores and WN Caprices equipped with LPG.

It concerns the LPG fuel feed hose that might develop a slow leak “towards the end of the vehicle’s lifetime”.

“If this defect occurs, it may pose a fire hazard to consumers,” the Holden recall notice says. “However, due to the slow rate of the leak, Holden believes the risk of combustion associated with this defect is very low.” Mr Flintoff said this fault had been discovered in Holden’s own testing procedures.

The affected cars were built between June 25 2013 and April 8 2014.

Vehicles involved in the fuel line recall are included in the fuel valve recall, with both repair jobs to be done in the same service appointment.

In both cases, no accidents or injuries had been reported, he said.

Holden is writing to owners to ask them to return their car to their dealer to have the cars checked and rectified.

Last month, Holden recalled 27,000 VE and VF Commodores and WM and WN Caprices over a potential windscreen wiper fault.

In May, 46,000 Commodores and Caprices were recalled over a seatbelt pretensioner wiring fault, in which wiring insulation might wear through, potentially causing the seatbelt pretensioner to fail to deploy in a crash.