Recall wrap: Benz and Honda expand Takata campaigns

Mercedes-Benz and Honda have widened the scope of their respective Takata airbag recall campaigns within the past three days.

To the 3500 vehicles recalled by Mercedes-Benz at the end of May the importer has added many thousands more, increasing the number to 24,478 vehicles in total. The same cars are involved – the R-Class and the 204 Series C-Class (pictured), and while the former only requires driver-side airbag replacement, both driver and passenger airbags are to be replaced in the C-Class. Mercedes-Benz Australia advises that the vehicles affected were sold between January 7, 2008 and August 31, 2013.

Honda has also expanded its Takata campaign, for the MY2001-07 Accord and the MY2003-06 MDX. For the Accord, the recall notice applies to 18,719 vehicles – a mix of passenger airbags in some cases, and 'beta' driver-side airbags.

Honda advises that the recall notice for the MDX pertains to 3030 vehicles and like the Accord, includes some passenger airbags, but also includes both alpha and beta airbags for the driver.

In news unrelated to Takata recall programs, BMW is advising owners of X3 and X4 SUVs to contact an authorised servicing dealer for a problem with air in the brake hydraulic lines. According to the importer: "trapped air may cause extended brake pedal travel during braking. In some cases, the rear brake circuit may fail or in extreme circumstances the brake pedal may travel to the floor, increasing the risk of an accident."

All up, 395 vehicles are affected and on-sale dates were between April 15, 2018 and June 27, 2018.

SAIC has issued extended a recall for the MG6 Plus in the Core level of trim. The rear centre seat position is not fitted with a child safety seat anchorage point that complies with Australian Design Rule 34/02. A top tether cannot be used without this anchorage point, possibly resulting in excessive movement of the child seat in the event of a crash. MG is offering owners of the 57 vehicles affected to have the entire 60 per cent seat squab replaced with one that complies with the relevant ADR.