Korean Holdens recalled

Holden has issued a national safety recall of more than 51,000 Korean-made vehicles – including the Barina, Viva, Epica and Captiva – to fix a potential brake problem.

The recall affects some 27,778 Captiva crossovers built between 2007 and 2010, 11,691 examples of the discontinued Viva small car built between 2007 and 2008, 8195 Barinas manufactured between 2009 and 2010 and 3723 Epica medium sedans produced between 2008 and 2010.

Holden said no problems have so far been reported in Australia, where the recall is a precautionary measure to rectify potentially faulty brake control modules.

“General Motors has identified a condition where, in some instances, these vehicles may experience a reduced brake performance and or a spongy low brake pedal due to a sticky valve within the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM),” said GM Holden’s recall notice today.

It is believed that, if it is used any of these 51,387 vehicles, the incorrect type of brake fluid may lead to corrosion build-up on the zinc plating on the valve inside the brake control module. Service staff at Holden dealers have been advised to check for any corrosion build-up and to ensure the correct grade of brake fluid is used.

Holden will advise the owners of vehicles affected by the latest recall by mail, inviting them to contact their local dealer to arrange a free inspection, brake fluid flush and, if necessary, replacement of the EBCM.

Customers who have not been contacted but believe their vehicles could be among those affected are asked to contact their Holden dealer or Holden’s toll-free Recall and Rework Assistance Line on 1800 632 826.

The latest recall is the sixth for the Series I Captiva, which was launched here in October 2006 and discontinued in February 2011, and follows last month’s recall of 9547 Australian-built Cruze models to rectify a potential fire risk that may occur following an oil leak due to an incorrectly performed oil change.