Recall wrap: More than 73,000 Mazda3 cars recalled

Mazda Australia has recalled more than 70,000 examples of its first-generation (BK-series) Mazda3 due to an ageing horn cover on the steering wheel that could cause injury to the driver if the airbag deploys.

The Japanese car-maker says the plastic horn pad logo on 73,813 examples of the Mazda3, built between 2003-2006, may become brittle and fracture during an airbag deployment. This could in turn cause serious injury to vehicle occupants.

You can click here for a VIN list of affected vehicles, while Mazda Australia says it will contact owners to organise a replacement cover at no cost.

A variety of other recalls have been issued recently across various other brands, most notably a broad range of electrified vehicles.

In all cases, the car companies involved will notify owners, but we’ve also provided a VIN list for you to check whether your vehicle is affected.

Hyundai IONIQ, Kona Electric

Hyundai Australia has recalled 208 examples of the Hyundai IONIQ EV (MY2019-2020) and 615 examples of the Hyundai Kona Electric (MY2018-2020) due to a potential fire risk.

In both models, the South Korean car-maker said that “due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire”.

Affected owners will be contacted by Hyundai to arrange a battery replacement.

VIN list: Hyundai IONIQ
VIN list: Hyundai Kona Electric

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi Australia has recalled 3677 examples of its Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV built between 2013-2020.

The company said some versions of the plug-in hybrid SUV might have been fitted with a non-AGM 12-volt battery in the boot compartment, instead of the recommended AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery. This may have occurred either prior to the vehicle sale, or after.

In the recall notice, Mitsubishi said: “A non-AGM battery is more likely to release hydrogen sulphide gas in the event of battery failure, and if the vehicle is involved in a collision there is the potential that acid could leak.”

VIN list: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Porsche Taycan

Porsche Cars Australia has recalled 438 examples of the Porsche Taycan (Y1A) and Taycan Cross Turismo (Y1B) built from 2019-21, due to a software fault that was identified overseas earlier this year.

The company said the fault, which is located in the power electronics control unit, could result in “a loss of motive power” while driving.

VIN list: Porsche Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo

Audi – various models

Audi has also called back a total of 1623 vehicles spanning a variety of models including the Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q8 and e-tron – all built between 2019-2021.

The German car-maker said some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.

“A broken nut may lead to increased movement between the wishbone and hub carrier and a change in the wheel alignment on the rear axle,” the company said.

Audi says sudden uncontrollable movement of the rear axle cannot be ruled out, increasing the risk if injury or death to vehicle occupants or other road users.

VIN list: Audi – various models

Mercedes-Benz EQC, Sprinter

A small batch of 10 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 (MY19) electric cars are being called back over battery concerns.

The company said the sealing of the high-voltage battery housing may reduce over time, allowing moisture to enter. It added: “The moisture may result in the corrosion of the battery, potentially resulting in an electrical short increasing the risk of a fire.”

A recall involving 855 examples of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van has also been issued.

Those affected were built from 2014-2018 and converted to camper vans, with Mercedes stating certain vans with a camper body/conversion may experience an electrical fault with the rear axle rotational speed sensor.

This fault may result in some of the functions of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) deactivating. If the ESP control unit functions are deactivated, the driving stability of the vehicle may be impacted.

VIN list: Mercedes-Benz EQC
VIN list: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Land Rover Discovery and other models

Meanwhile, 266 examples of the Land Rover Discovery built between 2019-2021 (L462) are also being called back over battery woes.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Australia said the 12-volt battery in affected models may be insufficiently earthed to the vehicle chassis, and that “as a result, the vehicle may exhibit a range of electrical faults, including engine cut-out while being driven and loss of all electronics”.

JLR has announced a separate recall for another 100 vehicles across the Ranger Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery Sport model lines.

Vehicles affected include those built from 2020-2021 and fitted with the AJ21 2.0-litre diesel engine, with the car-maker saying the fuel injector return pipe may not meet manufacturing specifications and may split, which could allow fuel to leak into the engine bay and onto the road, increasing the risk of an accident.

VIN list: Land Rover Discovery
VIN list: Range Rover Evoque and Velar, Land Rover Discovery Sport

Toyota 86

Toyota Australia has recalled 367 examples of its Toyota 86 (MY18) after it was found the coupe’s fuel pump could stop operating.

Examples affected include automatic and manual versions of the Toyota 86 GT and GTS, with Toyota saying if the pump stops working the engine may not run smoothly, and could stall and not restart.

VIN list: Toyota 86

Subaru – various models

Subaru importer Inchcape Automotive is recalling various Subaru models over fuel pump concerns that affect a total of 2037 vehicles.

All built between 2018-2019, affected models include the Subaru BRZ, WRX, Levorg 1.6, Levorg 2.0, Liberty 3.6, Outback 3.6 and Forester XT.

Subaru says the fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications and could become deformed and stop working as a result. This may lead to the vehicle stalling, which could increase the risk of an accident and injury if a loss of power occurs while driving.

VIN list: Subaru – various models

McLaren 600LT, GT

McLaren is recalling its 2019-2020 McLaren 600LT and GT over brake concerns.

The British marque’s latest recall affects only two vehicles in Australia. The problem is said to stem from a component within the brake assembly that may not meet specifications and could cause the brake callipers to not operate correctly, causing a reduction in braking performance.

VIN list: McLaren 600LT and GT

Bentley Continental GT, Bentayga

Bentley has also recalled a total of 379 examples of its Bentley Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible (2018-2019) over a software issue.

The prestige British manufacturer says when the front seat height is lowered the seat may also move rearwards, which could result in trapping a rear occupant’s legs.

Two examples of the Bentley Bentayga (MY21) have also been recalled.

The company said that “due to incorrect software parameters within the chassis control module, there may be a delay in the intervention of the electronic stability control (ESC)”. As a result, “this may result a loss of vehicle control” and increase the risk of a collision, Bentley said.

VIN list: Bentley Continental GT and GT Convertible here
VIN list: Bentley Bentayga