Recall Wrap: Volkswagen Crafter strikes Takata trouble

As part of its ongoing Takata airbag replacement campaign, Volkswagen Australia has recalled more than 1000 Crafter vans in Queensland, Northern Territory and West Australia.

In total, 1347 VW Crafter vans have been recalled for driver's airbag replacement, and 884 vehicles for passenger's airbag replacement. Vehicles affected were sold between June 2006 and January 2017.

The airbags supplied by Takata have inflator propellants that can degrade over time, and more quickly in hotter, humid climes, which when triggered in the event of a collision can blast occupants with metal fragments.

The airbags are designed to save lives, but have resulted in injury and even death in worst-case scenarios.

The issue facing the huge Takata airbag recall, which affected more than 100 million vehicles globally, is that some vehicles affected are more than a decade old and their current owners can be difficult to find.

The Australian government issued a compulsory recall and car-makers have until the end of 2020 to recall all affected vehicles or face hefty fines.

Like all recalls, inspections and repairs or replacements are free of charge, and owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by the vehicle manufacturer.

Meantime, a small number of 2018 model year Hyundai i30 cars are being recalled due to a sunroof defect which, according to the ACCC recall notice, "…may result in an injury to a person if a body part is caught between the glass and sunroof's window frame".

The electric sunroof motors have incorrect software that bypasses the automatic safety stop function, which usually detects an opposing force and stops closure. In total, 95 vehicles are being recalled.

Fellow Korean car-maker Kia is recalling 150 Carnival people-movers due to the improper fitment of the second-row middle seatbelt buckle.

This can prevent the three-point seatbelt from properly latching, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of injury in the event of accident, according to the recall notice.

The affected vehicles are MY2019 Kia Carnival people-movers, owners of which will be contacted by the manufacturer.