Recall wrap: Hyundai Santa Fe and i45 engine defect strikes 10,000 vehicles

Hyundai is contacting nearly 10,000 owners of the Santa Fe and i45 for debris that could damage the engine internals and bring the car to a sudden stop.

Kia is also contacting almost 5000 owners of the Optima and Sorento for what appears to be the same issue, and is part of a global recall of 1.4 million vehicles. Both the respective Hyundai and Kia models are powered by the same engine, the 2.4-litre directed-injected (GDI) four-cylinder. The subject vehicles are: i45, the DM-generation Santa Fe, the TF Optima built between 2011 and 2014, and the XM Sorento for 2013.

Debris left in the engine can block an oil line that lubricates the connecting-rod bearings. Ultimately, if left unresolved, the defect will result in the bearings failing and the engine will cease to run. If the engine should fail in traffic, it may pose a danger to the driver and other road users.

Symptoms of the defect, according to Kia, include a "cyclic knocking noise" from worn connecting-rod bearings and illumination of the engine warning light and oil pressure light in the instrument binnacle.

Both importers will contact owners by mail and recommend owners approach the nearest authorised dealer for an inspection and repair. Hyundai reports that 9678 vehicles are subject to the recall, and Kia advises that 4979 vehicles are affected.

Jaguar Land Rover is recalling XE, XF and F-PACE models fitted with 2.0-litre diesel engines for a leaky fuel return hose. Owners may note a strong smell of fuel and fuel puddles under the car. According to the importer, the fuel may pose a fire risk and could also adversely affect the car's roadholding. The vehicles affected were built for the 2017 and 2018 model years and went on sale here between November 20, 2016 and May 22, 2017. The vehicle identification number (VIN) ranges are as follows:

XE – SAJAB4CN0HCP06281 to SAJAB4BNXJCP18445
XF – SAJBB4BN4HCY51636 to SAJBJ4FN6JCY54217
F-PACE – SADCA2BN7JA240001 to SADCA2AN3JA899999

JLR Australia will contact owners of the subject vehicles and recommend they contact the nearest authorised dealer to have the hose replaced.

Volvo has announced a recall for the MY 2017 XC90, to rectify a fault in the seatbelt pretensioner on the right side of the third-row seating. According to the importer, the pretensioner in question may have been manufactured to "an incorrect production parameter" and part of the component may detach during deployment. This part could float around the cabin freely during a crash, potentially doing harm to the occupants.

The VIN suffix for affected vehicles ranges between 133955 and 143647. Owners are advised to contact the nearest authorised dealer for the pretensioner to be replaced.

Mitsubishi's Outlander is being recalled for a defect in the windscreen wiper system. The problem pertains to vehicles built between model years 2007 and 2012, and sold between November 28, 2006 and February 28, 2013.

Water trapped between bonnet and windscreen may corrode a ball joint in the drive system, which could break and leave the wipers inoperable.

As soon as parts are available Mitsubishi will contact owners about taking the vehicle to the nearest dealer for rectification.

Tesla's Model X SUV built between April last year and June 2017 is being recalled in Australia for the front-passenger airbag, which may not deploy in the event of a crash. The airbag is controlled by the vehicle's RCM (restraint control module), which may not operate to specification. Tesla advises that the fault can be rectified by an 'over the air' firmware update. Owners are recommended to accept the software update and install immediately.

The 469 vehicles subject to the recall notice were sold between January 20, 2017 and June 9, 2017.

Bolts fastening the front wishbones of the Peugeot 308 may break, prompting the importer to recall 275 cars sold here during the month of January, 2015. Should the bolts break the wheels will tilt and steering control will be diminished. Owners will be contacted by mail and are advised to arrange a time with the nearest dealer to have the bolts replaced.