Recall Wrap: More than 80,000 Subaru cars recalled

Subaru has issued two separate safety recall notices in the last week involving more than 80,000 new Impreza and XV vehicles.

A total of 54,715 models including Imprezas built between 2017 and 2019 and XVs built between 2018 and 2019 were recalled on November 1 due to improper programming of the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM).

Subaru says the incorrect programming could cause the ignition coil to overheat, creating a short circuit and blowing the fuse, which could cause the engine to stall while driving and not restart.

Separately this week, more than 25,000 Impreza and XV models spanning the same build years were recalled due to a potentially faulty positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve which could cause excessive exhaust smoke and possibly unexpected power loss.

In both cases, Subaru will contact affected owners to have their vehicles repaired.

In other recent recalls, Hyundai has called back 167 vehicles including 159 examples of its new Venue compact SUV, six Elantra sedans and two IONIQ EVs, which may have wheel nuts that are not tightened correctly.

Naturally, Hyundai says this could lead to wheels becoming loose, falling off and posing an accident and injury risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. Hyundai will contact owners to have their vehicles inspected and rectified.

Meantime, the transmission pressure accumulator in 14,440 Audi models fitted with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox could crack over time, leading to a loss of pressure in the hydraulic system of the gearbox and an interruption of engine power.

The recall covers A1 (2011-2016), A3 (2008-2016) and TT (2012-2016) models fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In a separate recall, 150 Audi A6 and A7 cars built in 2019 are being called in for defective passenger airbags.

The recall states: Testing has shown that the passenger airbags does not meet the applicable standard. The defects relate to the balance of the trigger times between the belt tensioner and passenger airbags.

Audi says it will contact affected owners to organise inspection and repair.

Mercedes-Benz has recalled 107 CLS models built in 2018 and 2019 for a possible power supply problem to the engine’s coolant pump.

The car-maker says the electric line for the power supply could make contact with the engine fan, thereby damaging the electrical system and causing the engine to stall.

Mercedes has also issued a separate recall for A-Class, GLC and CLA models built in 2019 for potentially incorrectly installed airbag-fastening lock nuts.

It says the airbag in 268 vehicles could detach from the base plate and enter into the vehicle interior at high speed, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Nine Mercedes-Benz C-Class models built in 2019 have also been recalled for a potentially incorrectly mounted tie-rod which could cause it detach, making the car difficult to control.

Benz has also recalled 92 examples of the Mercedes-AMG GT S Coupe (2015-2016 model years) for possible transmission malfunctions.

Owners are urged to contact their closest Mercedes-Benz dealership to organise inspection and repair.

Leaky gas struts on the back door of more than 80 Toyota Tarago people-movers built in 2019 are also on the recall list. Toyota says that if a sufficient amount of gas leaks while the back door is open, the gas struts may fail and pose a risk of injury.

Jaguar hasn’t escaped the recall list this month either, with 28 of its supercharged V6 F-TYPE sports cars pulled up for not meeting the required noise emissions standards.

In other news, Renault has a busy period ahead with plenty of recalls to tend to including 580 Megane RS models (2018) and 907 Trafic vans (2018).

Renault has warned of a potential engine failure for the Megane after discovering the oil pressure solenoid valve wiring in the engine bay may not have been manufactured to the required specifications.

And, according to another recall, the parking brake cable on Trafic vans was possibly not manufactured to the required specification in 907 examples, which could lead to a handbrake failure.

Meanwhile, Renault’s sports car marque, Alpine has issued a recall for a total of 202 vehicles built in 2018 due to a range of potential issues.

These include loose front boot lid lock screws, incorrectly programmed oil pressure solenoids and exhaust valve wiring that might not be mounted under the vehicle properly, causing it to melt against the exhaust.

Renault Australia will contact all known affected owners.

For more information, you can visit the ACCC’s Product Safety website here.