Recall wrap: 70,000 Holden Astras swept up in Takata airbag saga

Holden has confirmed that 69,521 Astra small car built between 2005 and 2009 have been embroiled in the latest round of Takata airbag recalls.

Affected models include AH series three and five-door Astra hatches and wagons sold nationally between 2005 and 2008, and, in NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania and South Australia in 2009, as well as AH convertibles sold nationally between 2005 and 2009.

The Takata-related recall also covers 2006 to 2008 Model Year (MY) HSV Astra VXR models sold in NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania and South Australia.

Customers wishing to be advised on whether or not their cars are affected should visit the Holden or official recall websites.

Volkswagen gets a mention in the latest Takata airbag recall list too, with 4,536 Multivan and Caravelle models supplied between June 30 2007 and January 1 2016 affected, in addition to 2,295 up! models supplied between June 30 2012 and January 1 2015 and 4,333 B7 Passats supplied between June 1 2010 and January 1 2016.

Like others affected by the Takata recall, Volkswagen is contacting customers to arrange a free-of-charge replacement. It is also suggested that concerned customers go to the official product safety website.

At Subaru, a recall is in place affecting 121,754 vehicles to correct a faulty stoplight switch that may render the stoplights inoperative or, at worst, prevent the engine from starting after the ignition has been switched off.

The recall encompasses Imprezas built between 2009 and 2016, XVs produced between 2012 to 2015 XVs, WRXs made between 2009 to 2014, WRX STIs built between 2011 to 2014 and Foresters made between 2013 to 2015.

Subaru is also recalling 129 diesel-engined Forester models to address an incorrectly-sized oil pipe that has the potential to damage the turbocharger which, in turn, could result in engine damage.

In both cases, Subaru is contacting affected owners to arrange free-of-charge inspection and repair. Owners can also contact their nearest dealer or call the Subaru Customer Relations Team of 1800 22 66 43 on Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm AEST.

Elsewhere, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon has been recalled due to an improperly-attached-side spoiler which may detach from the car while driving, constituting a potential risk of accident or injury to other road users.

Just seven vehicles are affected by the recall.

Audi is also recalling just five 2018 A5 models to correct bolts in the front suspension that may have been insufficiently tightened, leaving them prone to ultimately coming loose.

The car-maker warns the fault poses risk to not just the vehicle and its occupants, but also other road users.

The company is in the process of contacting affected owners to arrange inspection and repair. Concerned owners are asked to contact Audi Australia on its 24-hour toll-free number 1800 50 2834.

Lexus has also run into trouble with run-flat tyres on 92 of its IS 300h models supplied between October 23, 2017, and December 12, 2018, 22 LS 500 models supplied between February 28 and December 24, 2018, and 69 LS 500h models supplied between February 23, 2018, and February 26, 2019.

The problem arose from an incorrect assembly process which could contribute to the development of a crack in the tyre’s sidewall reinforcement layer. Over time, the crack may expand and cause overheating of the tyre, ultimately bringing a separation of the tread layer and a potential “loss of stability”.

Owners will be contacted by Lexus to arrange rectification of the problem at a dealer of choice or, alternatively, owners can contact their local dealer or speak to the Lexus Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 023 009 (Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm (AEDT).

Meanwhile at Porsche, 718 Cayman/Boxer series models from 2016 to 2019 are being recalled to fix a problem with a longitudinal crash beam in the front luggage compartment.

The beam has the potential, in a frontal accident, to penetrate the bulkhead and damage the fuel tank, possibly causing a fuel leakage with the attendant risk of fire.

The fault affects 889 vehicles and Porsche is contacting owners by mail to arrange inspection and repair. The nearest Porsche dealer can be found by visiting the car-maker's website.

And Volkswagen is recalling 1504 Golfs from 2018 to 2019 to address possible incorrect welding of the rear seat bench to the vehicle. The car-maker says the fault has the potential to affect the operation of the rear head restraint, with the possible risk of passenger injury.

Volkswagen is contacting owners of affected Golfs to arrange inspection and repair.  For further information, customers can contact the Volkswagen Recall Campaign Hotline on 1800 504 076 (toll-free), between 8.30am and 8pm Monday to Friday (AEST) or email recalls@myvw.com.au

Italian luxury marque Maserati gets a mention in the lastest list of recalls, this time due to a potential fault in the fuel lines in 84 Ghibli and Quattroporte models built between 2014 and 2015 which may cause leaking and possible fire.

Maserati is contacting affected owners to arrange a free-of-charge fix.