Recall wrap: Fire risk for Mazda BT-50

As expected, Mazda Australia has issued a nationwide product safety recall for close to 9000 examples of the current-generation Mazda BT-50 ute to nullify a fire risk from a potentially chaffed fuel line.

Just like the notice issued for the mechanically identical Isuzu D-MAX last week, some 3.0-litre Mazda BT-50 vehicles – all produced between 2021 and 2023 – could spring a fuel leak due to their fuel line rubbing against the oil level bracket, potentially leading to a fire if an external ignition source is thrown into the mix.

“A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users or bystanders and/or damage to property,” Mazda said in the recall notice, which is publicly available via the Vehicle Recall website.

“When parts are available, Mazda Australia will contact affected customers to advise them to present their vehicle to their preferred Mazda dealer to have the fuel hose replaced at no charge.”

Mazda has delivered a lot more than 8936 BT-50s over the past three years and so owners wondering if their vehicle is affected or included in the recall can check via the VIN list attached to the recall notice online.

GWM Australia has meantime recalled 1659 examples of its 2023 GWM Ora electric hatch to resolve a programming issue that could cause an electrical short.

According to the notice issued yesterday via Vehicle Recalls, an electrical arc between the charging plug and the vehicle may occur if someone removes the charging cable without cancelling the charge.

“If an electrical arc comes into contact with the operator or bystanders it will increase the risk of serious injury or death,” GWM said.

The car company is therefore contacting affected owners in writing and requesting them to present their vehicle(s) for a free software update, however, those not wanting to wait for their letter can check the published VIN list.

On a much smaller scale, Audi Australia has issued a recall for 29 A4, A5, Q3, TT, Q7 and Q8 vehicles – all produced in 2023 – to fix a potentially dangerous seatback.

“Due to a manufacturing defect, the outer backrest frame of the front seats may have been incorrectly welded. As a result, the seat frame could fracture,” said Audi in its official recall notice.

“In the event of an accident, a fractured seat frame could increase the risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants.”

Audi is currently contacting the owners of affected vehicles to ask them to arrange a free repair with their preferred Audi service centre.

A minute batch of five 2023 Volkswagen Amarok utes has been recalled to rectify a possible manufacturing effect affecting the rear driveshaft.

According to the recall notice, the rear driveshaft bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during production and could come loose and even detach, causing a sudden loss in motive power.

“A sudden loss of motive power whilst driving could increase the risk of accident, causing injury or death to the vehicle occupants and/or other road users,” VW said.

Owners of affected vehicles are being asked to arrange a free inspection and repair as soon as possible.

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