Second recall for VE and WM

Holden has issued a recall for VE Commodore, WM Statesman and Caprice models. The recall, which is said to affect around 13,000 vehicles, is the second recall to involve the all-new model range.

According to a statement issued by the company this afternoon (Friday, Nov 10), the latest recall relates to rear seat belt buckles.

Holden says the recall is not the result of customer feedback but rather a fault discovered in its own testing.

Says Holden: “No customer cases have been reported but Holden is taking this action on advice from the relevant buckle supplier after the issue was detected during routine testing at the Holden Proving Ground.

“The supplier has advised there is potential for the rear seat belt buckles’ internal spring, which operates the internal latch plate, to be bent during manual assembly of the buckles. In the unlikely event that this occurs, the tongue latch plate may not fully engage which may allow the belt to unlatch.”

According to Holden the supplier has since modified its assembly practices to an automated process. Further it has “acknowledged full responsibility for the rework activity.” Holden would not name the supplier when asked by CarPoint.

The recall involves a total of 12,830 VE and WM vehicles. These include HSV models and also cars exported to NZ and South Africa.

All affected customers will be informed in writing by Holden and the belt buckles replaced, the manufacturer said.

The recall is the second to hit the new model range. The first saw around 1800 V8-engined VE and WMs recalled for a potential problem related to fuel line alignment.