Recall wrap: 80,000 Subaru vehicles could roll away

Subaru Australia has recalled a huge batch of vehicles this week, including 80,000 examples of every model in the Japanese car-maker’s line-up except the Forester and BRZ, due to a potentially faulty electronic handbrake.

Of the 78,617 superseded vehicles involved in the nationwide product safety recall, all were built between 2015 and 2019, including the popular Outback (2015-2018), WRX (2015-2018), Impreza (2017-2019) and XV (2017-2019), plus the now-discontinued Levorg (2015-2018) and Liberty (2015-2018).

According to Subaru, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended, meaning the electric park brake may not engage, allowing the vehicle to move or roll away even with transmission in the park position.

Subaru says the fault, which was caused by a manufacturing issue, may increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.

The manufacturer says it will contact affected owners to organise “free rectification”.

Recall notice – click here
VIN list: Subaru Impreza, Levorg, Liberty, Outback, WRX, XV

Meantime this week, a total of 600 Audi A6, A7 and A8 sedans (all variants) have been hit with a safety recall, after the German car-maker identified a manufacturing issue that could affect each vehicle’s engine operation.

Audi Australia says the oil supply in the oil strainer for the turbochargers may become clogged and affect engine operation, notably, including a loss of power.

Recall notice – click here
VIN list: Audi A6, A7, A8

In other recall news, BMW Australia is recalling 396 examples of its new iX electric SUV due to potential airbag problems that require a software update to fix.

All variants built between 2021-2022 are affected. BMW says a software issue with the airbag control unit could prevent the airbag warning lamp and warning message from illuminating in the instrument cluster as intended.

“If this occurs the vehicle occupants may not be alerted to the potential failure of the airbag control or pedestrian protection systems,” said BMW.

Recall notice – click here
VIN list: BMW iX

Ford has announced a recall for late-model examples of its Escape, and a total of 140 examples of the mid-size SUV are required back at the workshop.

Vehicles built between 2019 and 2022 are affected, with Ford saying modifications are required to the SUV’s front-end.

“The front engine shield and the Active Grille Shutter (AGS) system located under the front of the vehicle require modifications. In the event of an engine failure and oil/fuel rupture, oil/fuel might be trapped in the engine compartment,” said Ford, adding that this poses a fire risk.

Recall notice – click here
VIN list: Ford Escape

Meanwhile, General Motors Australia has launched a nationwide recall for almost 14,000 examples of the very last (imported) Holden Commodore, the ZB built between 2017 and 2020.

A total of 13,898 examples of the German-made large car are being called back, due to a manufacturing issue that could cause the brakes to fail.

GM says the brake booster in affected vehicles could fail, causing stopping distances to exceed the distance prescribed by Australian Design Rule 31/03, therefore making them non-compliant and increasing the risk of an accident.

A software update is said to remedy the fault, which General Motors will apply free of charge for affected owners.

Recall notice – click here
VIN list: Holden Commodore ZB

Elsewhere, a total of 5889 examples of the 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute have also been recalled due to a manufacturing defect that could cause the rear window to break unexpectedly.

Mercedes-Benz says pressure may become applied to the rear window due to a seal that could shrink, potentially causing the window to shatter into “small, compact pieces”.

The German car-maker says vehicles retrofitted with a Mercedes-Benz canopy may not be affected but still need to be returned to a dealership for checking whether “rubber blocks were installed in the rear area” of the canopy.

Recall notice – click here
VIN list: Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au