Recall wrap: Mitsubishi SUVs subject to safety-assist tech faults

Mitsubishi is informing owners of the Eclipse Cross, ASX (pictured) and Outlander SUVs that software that runs the driver-assist safety technology for their vehicles is defective and needs to be rectified.

The recalls cover 'ASC safety system' software, which may fail to run the following safety features: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Mitigation, Brake Auto Hold, Hill Start Assist and Super All-Wheel Control. The 38,850 vehicles affected by this recall are the 18MY Eclipse Cross, the 18 & 19MY ASX and the 17 & 18MY Outlander. Mitsubishi is also recalling these same vehicles for a separate problem with the Forward Collision Mitigation system, which may fail to release the brakes after the danger of a collision has passed. This too is a software fault and 20,987 vehicles are affected.

Mitsubishi is contacting owners concerning the recalls, but vehicle owners may also find out more by phoning 1800 931 811.

Ford has updated its 'beta' Takata airbag recall for the MA, MB and MD series of Mondeo. The airbags are installed on the passenger side. In total, nearly 17,000 vehicles are affected by the recall, including 9801 vehicles built between March 1, 2007 and August 14, 2009, and 6893 vehicles built between October 6, 2014 and March 21, 2017.

Ford recommends owners contact the nearest authorising servicing dealer to have the airbag replaced. Owners may also contact Ford through the Customer Relationship Centre or through a dedicated Takata airbag hotline, 1800 503 673.

Mercedes-Benz has also updated its Takata airbag replacement program for the passenger-side unit of the MY12 C-Class. The importer advises owners can check whether their vehicle is one of the 11,629 vehicles affected by a VIN (vehicle identification number) look-up tool or by phoning a helpline, 1300 659 307, during business hours. Owners of affected vehicles are advised to contact the nearest servicing dealer to have the airbag replaced at the earliest possible convenience.

The Mercedes E-Class is also being recalled for a fault related to the pedestrian-protecting pop-up bonnet. In the event that a pedestrian is not detected by the vehicle, the bonnet will not deploy. Owners of the 102 vehicles affected are advised to contact the nearest servicing dealer to have the vehicle inspected and, if need be, repaired.

A further 15 owners are being contacted for a recall pertaining to an Active Lane Keeping Assist camera software defect for the S 63. At speeds above 105km/h the system may not actuate brakes to bring the car back into its lane. The importer advises owners to take the vehicle to the nearest servicing dealer for inspection and repair.

Nissan is also escalating its Takata recall of the D22 Navara built between 2013 to 2015 and the Y61 Patrol for 2013 to 2016 production years. Passenger-side airbags are to be replaced in 10,987 Navaras and 6060 Patrols. Nissan has contacted owners by mail and encourages them to make arrangements with the nearest servicing dealer as soon as possible to have the defective airbags replaced. Owners can check a VIN look-up tool if they're uncertain as to whether their vehicle is subject to the recall. They can also phone a hotline on 1800 988 334 for further assistance.

Nissan is also recalling the D23 Navara and the Juke for replacement of a spring inside the ignition system. After prolonged use the engine may unexpectedly cease running and the airbags would be disabled, posing an initial risk of injury in the event of a collision. Both the Navara (2060 vehicles affected) and the Juke (just 14 vehicles) were built during the 2017 production year. Owners should contact a servicing dealer to have the key-ignition switch assembly inspected and repaired.

The R52 Pathfinder has also been recalled for replacement of a seal in the anti-lock braking system actuator. According to Nissan the seal may leak brake fluid, which if left unattended could result in a short circuit in the actuator and potentially a fire. The 554 vehicles subject to the recall were built during the 2016 production year. Nissan advises that replacement parts will not be available before January 2019 and the importer will contact vehicle owners to arrange an inspection at a servicing dealer. Further information is available by ringing the company's Customer Service Centre on 1800 035 035 between weekday trading hours.

Toyota is contacting owners of 8588 units of the Prius and Prius V hybrids for a fault in the cars' power management ECU (Electronic Control Unit). Previous recalls in 2014 and 2015 were found to be an inadequate remedy for the problem, which involves defective software for the hybrid-drive system. The software may not instigate fail-safe mode in some circumstances. Instead, the vehicle may shut down entirely.

Toyota is mailing the owners of the ZVW30 Prius and the ZVW40 Prius V to recommend they contact the nearest servicing dealer to have the fault rectified. Owners may also contact Toyota during business hours via a dedicated recall hotline, 1800 987 366.

Jaguar Land Rover Australia has announced recalls for the beta Takata airbags fitted to the steering wheel of the Land Rover Discovery Sport (4806 vehicles) and the Jaguar XE and XF (1679 vehicles combined). The importer advises owners of the affected vehicles to arrange a replacement airbag through a servicing dealer.

Owners are encouraged to check whether their vehicle is affected by means of a VIN look-up tool for Land Rover and Jaguar or they can contact JLR Australia by phone on 1800 312 828.

Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery have also been recalled for a defect affecting 28 units of MY18 models sold in Australia. According to JLR Australia the vehicles subject to the recall may not warn drivers on those occasions autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is not available. Owners are advised to return the vehicle to a servicing dealer for attention.

Honda is recalling the Jazz and Accord Euro to have the Takata 'beta' airbags replaced on the passenger side. The 839 units of the Jazz are all MY14 models on sale between October 2013 and January 2015, and the 920 units of the Accord Euro subject to the recall are MY2014-15 models sold between August 2013 and May 2016. Honda requests vehicle owners arrange with a servicing dealer for the airbag to be replaced. If unsure, owners can look up the VIN to learn whether their vehicle is one of the cars affected by the recall. Further information is available via the web or by phoning a dedicated hotline, 1800 789 839, between office hours.

Audi is contacting owners of the R8 with V10 engine and DL800 transmission, concerning a possible fire risk. The 175 vehicles affected were built between 'week 26' of 2015 and 'week 42' of 2017. An oil leak in the transmission breather could allow oil to escape during 'extreme driving manoeuvres' on a racetrack. Should the oil make contact with hot components of the engine it will produce smoke and could lead to fire. Owners are advised to contact the nearest servicing dealer for the vehicle to be inspected. Further information is available 24 hours a day by ringing 1800 502 834.

Holden has announced a recall of 31 vehicles for a possible fuel leak. A clip holding fuel hosing in place may rub against the fuel pump return hose for the MY18 Commodore with 2.0-litre diesel engine. In the event of a leak, the fuel may drop on the exhaust. Holden will contact owners, who are advised to arrange inspection and repair of the vehicle at the nearest servicing dealer. Further information is available by phoning Holden Customer Care on 1800 632 82.