Recall wrap: Ford names 90,000 Takata-equipped commercial vehicles

Ford Australia has officially announced its Takata airbag recall for the 90,700 vehicles on Australian roads fitted with beta airbags, which are not as immediately dangerous as Takata's 'alpha' airbags, but still pose some risk.

The first indication Ford would join the rest of the market announcing recalls for vehicles fitted with the defective Takata airbags came as recently as two months ago, when it responded to news that the government had mandated recalls for the potentially lethal airbags.

Three Ford models are subject to the recall. The PK Ranger pick-up (pictured) built between September 8, 2006 and August 1, 2011, accounts for by far the largest number of vehicles affected – 69,363 of the 90,700 total. As the predecessor to the Ranger, the Mazda-built Courier is also subject to the recall, numbering 20,037 affected vehicles built between February 2, 2004 and September 21, 2006. Ford is also recalling 1300 units of the Econovan, built between February 2, 2004 and September 21, 2006.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to contact Ford to book a time at a servicing dealer for the airbag to be replaced. A booking can be made through a web page on Ford's public domain website, or by phone (13 36 73).

Mercedes-Benz, which had not previously advised whether it would comply with the government's call for mandatory Takata airbag replacement, has now issued a relevant recall notice for the SLK sports car and the GL and ML SUVs. The company advises that 2850 vehicles are affected and were sold in Australia between August 1, 2006 and September 30, 2012.

As with the Ford, Benz is replacing beta airbags fitted to these vehicles. Similarly too, vehicle owners may get in touch with Mercedes-Benz through a web contact form to arrange a booking with a servicing dealer and have the airbag replaced. There's also a VIN look-up facility and a contact number, 1300 659 307.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has also issued a recall notice for the MY 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT models, including GTR, GTC and GTS. The defect concerns a seatbelt jamming in the guide loop, which may consequently affect the ability of the seatbelt to restrain the seat occupant correctly under heavy braking. The 59 vehicles affected were sold in Australia between June 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.

Suzuki SX4 and Kizashi models are being recalled for defects related to the continuously-variable transmission. The recall is in two parts – for Queensland distribution and for cars sold by Suzuki Australia throughout the rest of the country. A controller in the CVT may fail to regulate the flow of oil correctly. This is due to solder for a resistor mounted on the circuit board cracking as a consequence of a manufacturing fault. Speed and acceleration may be affected. Suzuki advises that the dates the vehicles were available on sale are July 19, 2012 to August 28, 2014, and 2701 SX4 vehicles are subject to the recall notice throughout Australia, along with a further 244 vehicles sold in Queensland.

The same fault has been found in the Kizashi as well, with the importer recalling 167 in Queensland and 869 throughout the rest of Australia. Vehicles affected were sold here between July 19, 2012 and December 19, 2015. Suzuki is contacting vehicle owners by mail and recommends booking an inspection and repair at the nearest servicing dealer.

Audi has issued a recall notice for 108 units of the Q5 SUV manufactured during June and July of 2017. The vehicles affected were fitted with optional head-up display. According to the importer, "a defective weld joint that connects the central tube for the dah panel to the chute that helps the airbag inflate correctly may cause the chute to be distorted".

The airbag may be damaged during deployment, reducing its effectiveness. Audi is contacting Q5 owners by mail and recommends owners contact a servicing dealer for the vehicle's inspection and repair. Further information is available on the 24-hour toll-free number, 1800 502 834.