Cars recalled – round-up
Subaru of New Zealand has called back various models for remedial work to be done that have been imported into the country via the grey market.
Certain models of the BRZ, pictured, two-litre Forester Impreza and XV manufactured between January 16, 2012, and May 14, 2013, as well as some BRZs made at the start of production to May 14, 2013, might – “in very rare cases” – contain a potentially defective engine-valve spring.
If the spring fractures the engine, it may stall and may not be able to be restarted, which is why the marque started with a recall campaign on August 13.
When parts are available, the company will get in contact with owners by letter confirming they are in stock. It will provide information about contacting an authorised Subaru dealer for the call-back be completed, and note the model year is different to registration year.
On the same date, Subaru issued recalls for its Legacy from model years 1999-2001. Due to inappropriate circuit structure on the luminescent meter on some grey-market imports, the cabin is exposed to moisture for a long time. This may result in the power line of the circuit board causing an electrical short, potentially overheating the board and increasing the risk of a fire.
And due to a failed manufacturing process at a glass supplier, failed glass may have been incorporated into some affected New Zealand-new XVs and Imprezas from model years 2018-19.
During the quenching process to the tempered glass, the system to blow streams of cooling air was stopped manually by an operator and no warning alarm was activated. As a result, the glass was shipped without enough treatment, which may lead to insufficient performance. If a vehicle with glass that doesn’t meet requirements is involved in an accident, it may break into large pieces, which can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Kia Optima, model year 2018
Recall issued: July 30, 2019. The hazard: The forward-collision assist braking function may not operate properly due to a software error. What to do: Conduct a software upgrade of the engine-control unit and present the vehicle to a service agent.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, model years 2018-19
Recall issued: July 16, 2019. The hazard: The high beam may no longer be automatically deactivated and it may be impossible to deactivate it using the function lever when the automatic high beam is on as part of the intelligent headlight control. The camera is malfunctioning at the same time on some Sprinters with high-beam assist. What to do: Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz service outlet.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class, model year 2018
Recall issued: July 16, 2019. The hazard: One of the lock nuts in the steering gear may be cracked. What to do: Contact a service outlet.
Suzuki Swift, model years 2017-19
Recall issued: July 9, 2019. The hazard: The side and curtain airbags, and the seat belt pre-tensioner system, may have an unintended activation due to the rear door being forcibly slammed shut. What to do: Make contact with an authorised Suzuki dealer so arrangements can be made to book into the service department for remedial work to be carried out.
Holden Astra, model years 2005-08 and 2009; HSV, model year 2009
Recall issued: July 9, 2019. The hazard: Some Takata airbag inflators are made with non-desiccated phase-stabilised ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a propellant. As it gets older, a combination of high temperatures and humidity can cause the inflator propellant to degrade. What to do: GM Holden dealers will replace driver-side frontal airbag module assemblies.
Toyota Prius C, model years 2018-19
Recall issued: July 9, 2019. The hazard: The subject vehicles have a DC-DC converter to reduce voltage from the high-voltage battery to charge the auxiliary battery. Due to improper soldering of the circuit board during manufacture, the auxiliary battery may no longer receive power from the DC-DC converter. This could result in a total shutdown of the hybrid system. Warning lights, audible chimes and messages will display before that happens. Not all vehicles in the model years are involved. What to do: Owners will be contacted by letter requesting them to contact their nearest authorised Toyota dealer to arrange a time to have repairs completed at no cost.
