Last week, vehicle recall notices were issued by Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Mazda for a variety of issues that require the attention of owners.

 

The following vehicles have been added to the extensive list of those fitted with a faulty Takata airbag, which needs to be replaced as soon as possible:

 

2010-2014 Volkswagen Polo A5 (VINs found here)

2010-2014 Volkswagen Eos (VINs found here)

2006-2016 Volkswagen Crafter (VINs found here)

2007-2014 Mitsubishi Triton ML & MN (VINs found here)

 

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. They need to be replaced as soon as possible.

 

Owners who are unsure whether their vehicle needs an airbag replaced can visit the industry-supported website established to combat the Takata scandal. Replacement airbags can be arranged via the corresponding dealership free of charge.

 

A number of 2011-2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicles which were sold between February 1, 2011 and October 31, 2018 (VINs found here) have been recalled due to the potential for the brake lines in the ABS hydraulic unit to crack when subjected to strong vibrations. Cracking could lead to brake fluid leaking and affecting the vehicle's stopping distance.

 

Mercedes-Benz has also recalled 2019 GLE vehicles which were sold between May 20 and July 17 this year (VINs found here), due to the joint between the fuel filler neck and the fuel tank on some vehicles not being adequately sealed which can result in fuel leaking and increasing the risk of a fire occurring if the fuel comes into contact with hot exhaust parts.

 

In both cases, Mercedes-Benz is offering a free repair to affected owners who need to contact their preferred dealer.

 

A recall notice has also been issued for 2015-2016 Porsche Panamera (970), 911 (991) and Boxster/Cayman (981 and 982) vehicles which were sold between June 23, 2015 and June 16, 2016 (VINs found here), due to the possibility that an airbag control unit with an out of specification capacitor for maintaining power supply may have been installed.

 

An out of specification capacitor in the airbag control unit can deploy the airbags and/or seat-belt pretensioners in the vehicle unexpectedly or can prevent them from deploying in the event of an accident.

 

Affected owners can expect to be contacted via mail to advise that and inspection and repair needs to be arranged with a preferred Porsche dealer.

 

Finally this week Mazda has issued two recall notices with the first being for 2018 Mazda 2 (DJ, DL) vehicles sold between July 30, 2018 and June 21, 2019 (VINs found here), due to the fuel tank potentially exceeding the specified manufacturing dimensions which may place additional strain on the fuel tank retaining strap, which may weaken or potentially break causing the fuel tank to move out of position.

 

A recall has also been issued for 2017 Mazda CX-9 (TC) vehicles sold between October 16, 2017, and February 6, 2019 (VINs found here) due to the wiring harness connectors potentially having a weak retention force, which may cause communication errors between the vehicle control modules.

 

Communication errors include false warnings may be displayed on the instrument cluster, turn signals (indicators) not operating as intended, the engine not being able to be restarted, and/or the front passenger airbag not being deployed as intended in the event of an accident.

 

Again in both cases, Mazda will contact known affected owners to arrange for a free repair of both issues. Affected owners will need to contact their preferred Mazda dealer to arrange for the inspection and repair of their vehicle.