Several recall notices have been issued this week from Volkswagen, Mazda, Suzuki and Porsche.

 

Volkswagen’s first recall notice for this week covers the following vehicles:

 

2010-2014 Eos (Supplied between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2015, in Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory)

 

2011-2015 Passat (Supplied between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2016)

 

2009-2013 Golf (Supplied between December 1, 2009, and January 1, 2014)

 

The vehicles in question are due to have their airbag inflators replaced as part of the Takata recall roll out. As with all Takata airbags, as they age, are exposed to high temperatures or humidity, the risk of the airbag inflator propellant degrading increases. This can result in the metal inflator housing rupturing and expelling metal fragments into the vehicle potentially causing serious injury or death.

 

A free airbag inflator needs to be fitted free of charge as soon as possible. A list of affected VINs can be found here or by checking the industry supported website established to combat the Takata airbag scandal.

 

Volkswagen has also recalled 2018-2019 Tiguan Allspace vehicles due to a manufacturing defect.

 

It appears that in a limited number of vehicles a material may have been used in the production of the rear springs which was not approved for use in the process. This could result in a coil spring breaking and damaging the rear tyres which could increase the risk of an accident or injury to vehicle occupants and other road users.

 

Volkswagen will be contacting known affected owners (VINs found here) to organise a free repair. Affected owners can also contact the Volkswagen Recall Campaign Hotline on 1800 504 076 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am-8pm AEST).

 

A number of new 2019 Mazda 3 (BP) hatch vehicles sold between April 8 and May 18, 2019, have been recalled due to a faulty seat belt indicator and front passenger airbag deactivation indicator.

 

Affected vehicles may have an issue where the seat belt indicator may turn off when seat belts are still unfastened and the front passenger airbag deactivation indicator may turn off when the airbag is still deactivated. This could increase the risk of an injury occurring in the event of an accident due to the driver being unaware that their own or their passengers' seat belts are not fastened. 

 

Mazda Australia will be contacting known affected owners when parts become available to replace the occupancy indicator lamp assembly, this will be completed free of charge.

Affected VINs can be found here.

 

Suzuki also has issued two recalls this week with the first being for 2017-2019 Swift (A2L310/A2L412) and Swift Sport (A2L414) vehicles sold between March 1, 2017, and January 31, 2019 (VINs here) and the second for 2017-2019 Swift (A2L310/A2L412) and Swift Sport A2L (A2L414) models sold between May 1, 2017, and June 10, 2019 (VINs here).

 

An issue has been detected with the side airbags, the curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioner which may deploy when the rear door is slammed shut. The fault is believed to be due to incorrect software in the airbag controller (SDM).

 

Affected owners can expect a letter in the mail from Suzuki and will need to book in with their preferred Suzuki dealer to have their vehicle inspected and repaired if necessary.

 

Model Year 2010-2016 Porsche Panamera (970) vehicles sold between July 12, 2009, and September 13, 2016, have been recalled due to moisture being able to penetrate into the control unit for the air conditioning blower.

 

Moisture that seeps into the blower can cause malfunctions and short circuits in the blower control system which, in extreme circumstances, can cause a fire.

 

Known affected owners will be contacted by mail or owners can contact their preferred Porsche dealer to arrange for an inspection and repair if necessary. A list of affected VINs can be found here.