Recall wrap: New Mercedes-Benz GLE's climate control leaks

Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced a product safety recall for 911 units of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class large SUV (pictured) launched earlier this month.

The defect that has prompted the recall is potentially incorrect installation of air-conditioning drain hoses that may allow moisture to seep into the car's cabin.

According to Mercedes, not all vehicles are affected but will be inspected as a precaution, since certain on-board electrical systems may be vulnerable to the leakage, including telematics (emergency call), central locking, engine starting and limp-home mode. In addition, electrical wiring may short circuit and pose a fire hazard.

Vehicles subject to the recall notice were sold in Australia between February 1, 2019 and August 9, 2019. Owners are advised to contact the nearest authorised servicing dealer for the defect to be rectified.

Meantime, Audi is recalling 2070 units of the Audi Q5 SUV for model years 2017 to 2019. Owners are being contacted by the importer to bring their vehicle in for wheel-arch covers that may detach.

If the covers separate from the vehicle while in traffic the covers may pose a risk to other road users. Further information is available to owners through a 24-hour toll-free number, 1800 502 834.

Ferrari has issued three recall notices for different defects within the past week. Affecting 235 units of sports car and GT models, one recall relates to "an abnormality in the fuel vapour separator" that is situated between the evaporative emissions canister and the car's fuel tank. Fuel vapour discharged could present a fire risk.

The importer recommends owners of the Ferrari 488 Pista, 488 GTB, 488 Spider, GTC4 Lusso, GTC4 Lusso T and 812 Superfast contact the nearest servicing dealer for a new fuel vapour separator to be fitted.

All these vehicles were sold between November 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018. Further information is available by phoning 1800 234 392.

Owners of 65 different Ferraris are advised to contact the nearest servicing dealer to arrange for the replacement of an electronic control unit (ECU) that regulates the deployment of TRW airbags.

The vehicles affected are the Ferrari 458 Speciale, 458 Speciale Spider, 488 GTB, California T, 488 Spider and F12 Berlinetta. All were sold in Australia between May 29, 2015 and January 10, 2019.

Due to "non-conformity of the air bag and the seat belt pretensioners", a power failure could result in either the airbag or pretensioner (or both) deploying or failing to deploy. In addition, the airbag warning light may illuminate. Owners may ring the same help line noted above for further assistance.

For the third recall notice, Ferrari advises that the doors may cease to open from outside the car if a 'Bowden' cable within the doors applies tension to the door lock and the cable retainer breaks.

The 54 vehicles affected are the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso and GTC4 Lusso T, both sold between November 11, 2016 and October 12, 2018. Owners should arrange rectification through the nearest Ferrari dealer, and further information is available by phoning the Ferrari recall help line.

Maserati announced two recalls last week. One campaign pertains to the LED headlights fitted to Maserati Ghibli and Levante models. Vehicles subject to this recall were sold in Australia between October 1, 2017 and July 31, 2019.

The importer advises that the 166 affected vehicles may be fitted with LED headlights incorrectly assembled at the factory. Oncoming drivers may be blinded by the car's headlights. Owners will be advised by mail to contact their nearest servicing dealer to have the defect repaired.

The second Maserati recall notice applies to the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio models. All 47 vehicles affected were sold in Australia between November 1, 2015 and July 31, 2019. The defect is an airbag ECU fault.

Owners can expect to receive a letter from the importer, recommending they arrange repair at the nearest servicing dealer for the brand.

FCA Australia has issued a recall notice for the Jeep Cherokee KL series sold in Australia between March 1, 2018 and August 9, 2019. A possible communication problem between an acceleration sensor and the occupant restraint controller could result in an airbag failing to deploy in the event of a crash.

The importer is contacting the 22 owners of affected vehicles to recommend they have the fault repaired at the nearest servicing dealership. Owners may ring 1300 133 079 for additional information.