Recall Wrap: Power steering trouble for 66,000 Holdens and HSVs

More than 66,000 Australian-made Holdens, mainly Commodores, have been recalled due to a glitch that can cause their electric power steering systems to malfunction.

Holden says a loss of power steering assistance in 58,731 VF Commodores, 1938 WN Caprices and 5525 F-Series HSV ClubSport, Maloo and GTS models built between 2014 and 2016 can lead to an "increased risk of accident or injury to vehicle occupants or other road users".

According to its ACCC recall notice, this is due to "increased electrical resistance in a component within the Electric Power Steering system may result in a loss of power steering assistance" and also lead to "reduced steering control".

As with most voluntary recalls, the manufacturer will contact affected car owners. Holden has a hotline too: 1800 632 826.

A number of new Toyota Corolla hatchbacks have been recalled due to an issue with the automatic transmission. The CVT's pump impeller blades can detach due to a manufacturing error, resulting in damage to the transmission and potential loss of power,

Toyota says a total of 2640 Toyota Corolla cars are affected, sold between August and October 2018, with around 1100 of these already fixed before being delivered to customers. As with all voluntary recalls, the manufacturer performs the repairs at no charge to the owner.

In the final month of 2018, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen have also issued safety recall notices for significant numbers of vehicles in Australia affected by the deadly Takata airbags.

In one of the worst corporate scandals in recent history, faulty airbags built by Japanese automotive parts supplier Takata have claimed the lives of 24 motorists globally, including at least one Australian in 2017.

The dangerous 'Alpha' airbags have a 50 per cent chance of blasting metal shards at car occupants and in February became part of the first ever compulsory automotive recall in Australia.

If car companies do not replace all faulty airbags in Australia by the end of 2020, the government can fine them up to $1.1million per breach. Check out Ismyairbagsafe.com.au if you're unsure whether your car needs inspecting.

Mercedes-Benz is recalling a total of 28,965 C-Class models sold between 2013 and 2015, although no Mercedes cars are affected with the "do not drive" alpha airbags.

Some 270 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models are also affected, built between 2009 and 2011.

Audi has extended its Takata recall for 12,523 Audi A4 and Audi A6 models sold between 2004 and 2011.

A recall notice for another 14,697 Volkswagen vehicles has also been issued this month for the Takata airbags, none of which contain alpha airbags.

These vehicles include the VW Golf sold between 2009 and 2013 (in Queensland, West Australia and Northern Territory), the VW Passat sold between 2009 and 2011 and the Passat CC sold between 2008 and 2016.

BMW has also released cars containing faulty Takata airbags, totaling around 58,000 vehicles built between 2012 and 2017. They include almost every model, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Series vehicles, along with the X3, X4, X5, X6 and M variants where applicable.

Affected customers should can enter their number plate into the website Ismyairbagsafe.com.au/ to check if their vehicle is affected.

There have been other recalls in December that affect several other vehicles, starting with a handful of Lexus LS500 vehicles sold in 2018. The engine idle-stop system can generate a fault and cause the engine to stall in certain instances. A total of 73 vehicles are affected.

From luxury to utility, Hyundai iLoad and iMax vans are being recalled due to a potentially faulty side-door lock.

In total, 1044 iLoad and 129 iMax vans sold in 2018 are affected and in the worst-case scenario the rear sliding doors can slam shut if the vehicle is facing downhill due to a faulty locking mechanism. This in turn can post a risk of serious injury to occupants' bodies and limbs.

A handful of Mercedes-Benz CLS and E-Class vehicles, just 15 in total – sold in 2017 and 2018 – require attention due to a potentially faulty airbag sensor.

Not related to the Takata airbag recall, this issue affects owners using child seats. The system may not register a child seat is in use, which could result in the injury of an infant if the airbag goes off.

Finally, a recall has been issued for 126 Infiniti Q30 and QX30 vehicles sold between 2016 and 2017, after it was discovered the instruction manual contains an error about the child door locks.

A total of 23 Honda Civic Type R vehicles have been recalled due to a similar issue where the manuals may contain incorrect information – or there may be no manual at all.

Expect many more recalls in 2019 and for more information on any of these recalls, check out the ACCC website.