The start of the new financial year has seen a plethora of vehicle recall notices issued this week from Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Jeep, Mazda and Toyota for a vast array of issues.

 

Starting off this week is super recaller Mercedes-Benz with an extension to the Takata airbag recall. The widened recall now includes:

 

2011-2014 SLS class vehicles

2005-2010 A class vehicles

2007-2008 GL class vehicles

2009-2011 ML class vehicles

2009-2012 SLK class vehicles

 

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.

 

Faulty Takata airbags need to be replaced as soon as possible. Owners of affected vehicles are expected to contact their preferred Mercedes-Benz dealership to arrange for a free replacement airbag inflator to be fitted. Affected VINs can be found here or by checking the industry-supported website using the vehicle registration plate number.

 

A recall notice has been issued for 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles sold between June 21, 2009, and June 21, 2012 (VINs found here) due to an issue with the front track bar mounting bolt.

 

The bolt in question may not have been tightened to specification which could result in rattling, banging, loss of steering control and an increased risk of an accident and injury occurring.

 

A number of 2007 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass vehicles sold between June 1, 2006, and January 31, 2010, have also been recalled (VINs found here) as the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) may be configured incorrectly, preventing the headlamp levelling system from operating properly.

 

Also recalled this week were 2007-2009 Dodge Nitro and 2008-2009 Jeep Cherokee vehicles which were sold between June 5, 2007, and June 20, 2011 (VINs found here) which may have incorrect load and speed ratings and a missing P-metric qualifier on the tyre placard.

 

It doesn’t get any better with 2007 Jeep Compass and Dodge Calibre vehicles sold between June 6, 2006, and June 12, 2009, recalled (VINs found here) due to an issue with the length of the rear wheel hub mounting bolts which may prevent the use of the park brake.

 

This issue may allow unintended movement of the vehicle due to the parking brake being unable to be engaged which could increase the risk of an accident and injury occurring to vehicle occupants and other road users.

 

Owners of 2007 Dodge Nitro vehicles sold between June 21, 2006, and June 12, 2009, may find their windscreen wipers become inoperative which is the reason for this recall (VINs found here).

 

If the windscreen wipers cease to operate whilst it is raining visibility may be reduced which in turn will increase the risk of an accident and injury occurring to vehicle occupants and other road users.

 

Also recalled are 2010 Jeep Cherokee vehicles which were sold between June 6, 2009, and June 12, 2012 (VINs found here) due to an issue with the brake pedal linkage clip.

 

The brake pedal linkage clip may have been manufactured incorrectly which could cause the brake booster input rod to detach from the brake pedal. This will increase the risk of an accident and injury occurring to vehicle occupants and other road users.

 

The final recall from FCA Australia is for 2008 Jeep Cherokee vehicles sold between June 20, 2007, and June 11, 2010 (VINs found here) due to an issue with the windshield as well as quarter glass which may have been installed using incorrect urethane adhesive.

 

Using the incorrect adhesive may allow the glass to separate from the vehicle whilst driving which may increase the risk of an accident occurring.

 

Known owners of affected vehicles in all cases will be contacted by FCA Australia to advise that an appointment needs to be booked with a preferred dealer for a free repair.

 

A recall notice was also issued this week for brand new 2019 Mazda 3 (BP) hatch vehicles sold between April 8 and June 21, 2019, which may have an issue with the wheel studs.

 

During manufacturing, the wheel studs may not have been fully seated which allows a small gap between the wheel stud and the hub assembly which could allow the wheel nuts to loosen or a knocking or clunking noise to develop. This could also adversely affect the stability of the vehicle increasing the risk of an accident and injury occurring.

 

Mazda Australia will contact known affected owners (VINs found here) to arrange for a preferred Mazda dealer to retension the front and rear wheel nuts free of charge.

 

The final recall notice this week comes for 2018-2019 Toyota Prius C (NHP10) vehicles which were sold between March 19, 2018, and March 29, 2019, which may have a 12-volt auxiliary battery that may stop charging due to improper soldering on the circuit board in the DC/DC converter.

 

Should the auxiliary battery cease charging the warning lamps will illuminate to alert the driver. Prolonged use of the vehicle may result in the hybrid system shutting down which increases the risk of an accident and injury occurring due to a loss of drive.

 

Affected owners can expect to be contacted by mail with a letter requesting an appointment be made with a preferred dealer for a free inspection and replacement of the DC/DC converter if necessary. Affected VINs can be found here.