Recall wrap: Ford and Mazda door latch defect strikes 130,000 vehicles

Mazda has issued a recall notice for nearly 48,000 units of the BT-50 pick-up sold between October 21, 2011 to June 21, 2016.

According to the importer, a locating tab in the vehicle's door latches may prevent the door closing securely or allow the door to unlatch while the vehicle is in motion. Mazda Australia will contact owners, who are advised to arrange for the vehicle to be inspected and repaired at the nearest dealer. Further information is available by ringing 1800 034 411 or emailing.

Ford is recalling close to 86,000 units of the Ranger pick-up for the same reason. The Ranger and the BT-50 were jointly developed and share many parts. Ford advises that the vehicles affected were built between May 23, 2011 and May 20, 2015.

The Fiesta light passenger car is subject to the same recall, for just under 43,000 units built between May 27, 2010 and September 1, 2016. Ford recommends owners of the Ranger or the Fiesta contact the nearest servicing dealer to have the fault rectified. Additional details are available by phoning Ford's customer relationship centre on 1800 503 672.

Subaru Australia is contacting owners of the MY18 Liberty and Outback models by mail concerning a faulty distance-to-empty (driving range) indicator. According to the importer the problem rests with a 'programming error' in the 'Combination Meter Display' unit. The low-fuel warning light operates to specification, but drivers relying exclusively on the driving range indicator may run out of fuel.

Affected vehicles (7889 units of the Outback and 1187 of the Liberty) were built from that model year's production commencement on August 1, 2018. Reprogramming equipment is expected to be available in the dealerships from February 2019, at which time vehicle owners will be recontacted by Subaru to present the vehicle at a servicing dealer for repair. Subaru advises owners needing additional information to contact the company's Customer Relations Team on 1300 550 994 or by email.

Over 5400 units of the Toyota 86 sports car are subject to a recall notice for defective engine valve springs that may fracture under high load, leading to engine failure. Toyota Australia is notifying the owners by mail and advising them to arrange a visit to a servicing dealer to have the fault repaired. Further information is available by contacting Toyota's Recall Assist Helpline on 1800 987 366. Subaru – the company that builds the engine (and the car) for Toyota has previously issued a recall notice for its own products with the same fault.

Takata airbags remain in the news, with Mercedes-Benz Vans expanding its recall program to include the Sprinter. Over 3000 vehicles are subject to the recall, which addresses 'non-alpha' airbags fitted on the driver's side to vehicles sold between November 1, 2006 and October 31, 2017. Some vehicles (2559) sold between November 1, 2007 and October 31, 2016, will also need the passenger-side 'non-alpha' airbag replaced.

Owners are asked to contact a servicing dealer to have the vehicle fitted with a new airbag. The importer offers a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) lookup tool on its website and owners can obtain further information by phoning 1300 659 307 or email.

The existing Takata scandal is having a ripple effect on the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Avensis. Electrical shorting in the Airbag sensor assembly could illuminate the airbag warning lights and the airbags could deploy unexpectedly or not deploy when required. Should those airbags be Takata airbags, the resulting injuries inflicted could be fatal. Toyota recommends that owners of Corolla and Avensis models in which the Takata airbags are over six years old should cease driving the vehicle immediately.

According to Toyota, the Corollas (2256 of ZZE120 series) were built between October 9, 2001 and January 29, 2007. The Avensis with the same fault (143 vehicles affected) was built between October 3, 2001 and May 6, 2003. An interim notification has been sent separately to owners of the ZZE122 Corolla, but parts are not currently available for that specific variant. Owners will receive further notification from Toyota Australia once the parts are available for the 2121 vehicles affected.

Toyota's website features a VIN lookup tool and owners unsure whether their vehicle is affected can also phone Toyota on 1800 987 366. The company is also contacting 89 local owners of the Lexus SC430 sold between January 12, 2001 and July 10, 2013, for Takata airbag replacement in that vehicle.

MG has updated an earlier recall notice for the ZS SUV. The 1823 vehicles affected were sold between November 1, 2016 and November 30, 2018. A software fault in the vehicle's stability control system may result in power steering malfunction. The importer recommends owners contact the nearest servicing dealer to have the vehicle inspected and, if necessary, repaired. A helpline – 1800 642 277 – can provide further information.

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 230 units of the C300 and C350 Hybrid passenger cars sold between December 30, 2014 and April 28, 2017. The importer advises that an electric line in the engine bay may have been 'routed incorrectly' during the production process, leading to chafing of the wire against a reinforcing strut and a consequent short circuit, with the risk of fire breaking out.

The local importer has issued a recall notice for two units of the 2018 Lotus Evora sold in Queensland and Victoria, due to a defect in the steering column. A screw in the steering column may come loose unexpectedly. The two cars were sold between April 17 and October 2 of this year and further information is available from the importer's website.