Recall wrap: Audi recalls A3 and Q5 for separate faults

Over 9000 examples of the Audi Q5 sold in Australia are being recalled for a defective sunroof fitted to vehicles built between May 2010 and August 2016.

According to Audi, the vehicles that are the subject of the recall notice may suffer water seepage into the headlining around the sunroof. This water could accumulate in the foam adjacent the gas generator for the side-curtain airbags. Corrosion of the gas generator could result in the airbag's pressure cylinder bursting.

Audi has also issued a recall notice for the A3, built between May 2008 and May 2009. Nearly 2200 vehicles were sold in Australia with a faulty earth connection for the stability control unit resulting from "excessive thermo-mechanical strain on components in the control unit".

The importer advises that this fault may diminish system performance in "critical handling situations".

Audi is contacting owners to arrange an inspection of affected vehicles in both cases.

Toyota has reissued earlier recall notices for nearly 8000 of the Echo and 239 units of the RAV4 for Takata airbag faults. The vehicles (NCP10/13 Echo and ACA22/23 RAV4) are to have the driver's airbag replaced, subject to part availability. As is well known by now, moisture in the airbag inflator could result in metal shards exploding in the face of the driver should a collision trigger the airbag. The danger with cars among the first to be recalled for the faulty Takata airbags is that the replacement airbags may be subject to the same fault. Toyota says that the replacement airbags installed did not contain a dessicant (a 'drying agent').

Toyota has also issued a recall notice for an auxiliary battery kit accessory for HiLux models sold between September 29, 2015 and January 14, 2017. The vehicles in question are 4x4 models (Katashiki GUN125 and GUN126) plus the HiLux 4x2 Hi Rider (GUN136) diesel models.

Driven on rough roads, the battery kit's mounting points may incur damage due to constant vibration. Should the battery move, it could in turn damage the wiring harness. Toyota will contact owners by mail for rectification.

Jaguar Land Rover Australia is recalling the 2016 model year Range Rover Sport built between September 20, 2016 an October 25, 2016. The front-passenger airbag may malfunction due to a "deviation" in the ratio of the propellant mix, and may not fire in the event of a collision.

JLR Australia will contact owners by mail.

Mitsubishi has issued multiple recall notices during the past month for Outlander, ASX and Pajero. The Outlander and ASX models subject to recall are 2016 models built between April 23, 2015 and March 14, 2016. In both cases the door latch assembly is defective and the doors could open while the vehicle is moving.

The Pajero recall is a fix for a Takata airbag fitted ahead of the front passenger and applies to NT & NW models sold between January 29, 2010 and May 30, 2014. Mitsubishi will let owners know by mail as soon as the parts become available for rectification.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class owners are being contacted by the importer for vehicles sold during the month of May, 2013, for a bolt that may not have been tightened during the production process. The bolt holds the steering coupling to the steering shaft. Should the bolt separate the vehicle may lose steering. Mercedes-Benz Australia will inform owners by mail for the vehicle to be inspected by an authorised servicing dealer.

Ateco Automotive is recalling the Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli built during model years 2014 and 2015. Fuel may leak from a fuel delivery pipe in the vehicles being recalled. Ateco will contact owners, who are to bring the car to the nearest Maserati servicing dealer to replace the entire pipe.

Just seven of Skoda's 2017 model year Superb are being recalled for an incorrect mix of propellant in the seatbelt tensioners. The importer will contact owners about arranging an inspection and repair.