Skoda recall hits cop cars

Skoda has issued a recall for hundreds of Octavia and Superb models, some of which are used by New Zealand Police, after discovering a safety problem that may lead to the vehicles catching fire.

The alert affects about 2,000 cars in New Zealand that have a direct shift gearbox and electromechanical brake servo and were built between 2020 and 2024.

The marque’s recall notice explains a heat protection mat between the servo and the close-coupled emissions control system may not be placed in front of the coupling connector of the brake fluid reservoir. 

“A coupling connector that is not heat-protected can melt,” it adds. “This can result in brake fluid leaking, which can ignite upon contact with hot engine parts.”

A police spokesman says they are working through a list of affected vehicles with Skoda to resolve the issue and frontline services are not affected, reports the NZ Herald.

Skoda New Zealand notes more than one-third of affected cars in the police fleet have already been repaired as part of the recall.

The company’s February 2 notice advises owners of affected vehicles to contact a Skoda dealer to have their vehicle inspected.

The Superb became the new frontline car for NZ Police in 2021 after the demise of Holden, which previously supplied vehicles to the force.