Recall wrap: Steering wheels could fall off Renault vans

Renault Australia has announced a safety recall for more than 400 Trafic vans over concerns their steering hubs may crack or break.

The recall notice for 409 Renault Trafic II vans (model years 2012-2013) states drivers may experience steering wheel vibration and noise in the lead-up to a failure that could result in a collision if the driver loses control.

Meanwhile, the French car-maker has issued a separate recall for 336 Trafic III vans (MY 2013-2014) due to a potentially faulty exhaust gas recirculation pipe.

Renault says cracking of the high-pressure pipe may result in stalling when driving, loss of engine braking assistance and/or fuel leakage.

Owners affected by the recalls will be contacted by Renault to have their vehicles inspected and repaired.

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t escaped the latest round of recalls either, recalling a total of 235 vehicles including GT, S, G and E-Class models built between 2018-2019 and sold between August 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019.

Benz says the material used in the oil lines of these models may not meet the correct specifications, which could cause a fire if oil leaks and comes into contact with hot components.

Mercedes-Benz has also issued three more recalls in the last two weeks, one affecting just three vehicles 2016 C-Class vehicles over concerns their headlight range function may working properly.

Ten Mercedes-Benz V-Class and 14 Vito vans (both 2019 models) have also been recalled due to the potentially incorrect fitment of head restraints. Owners of all affected Mercedes-Benz models are encouraged to contact their local dealer to organise free inspection/repair.

Meanwhile, BMW Australia has issued a recall for the MY2012-2018 M6 Gran Coupe because its high-mount brake light assembly may become detached.

BMW says it will contact owners of the 74 affected vehicles.

Elsewhere, Audi Australia has recalled its 2019 Q7 (4M), stating the SUV’s curtain airbag may not inflate sufficiently in an accident.

Finally, 24 more Audi SUVs – Q7 and SQ7 models built over 2016-19) and the 2019 Q8 – over concerns “the bolted connection between the steering shaft and steering rack may be not tightened to the required torque”.

Audi says if the bolted connection comes loose, the driver may lose control of the steering. The manufacturer will contact known owners of recalled models to organise inspection and repair.