Total recall: 30 recalls in the last 60 days

Total recall: 30 recalls in the last 60 days


The recalls were piling in hard and fast during this year. While we kept up with most of the ones which could’ve potentially affected car owners in the Middle East, we simply stopped keeping track around two months ago, because it became interminably boring writing up repetitive “recall” stories. However, we have a duty to at least highlight the ones which could matter, so here is a rundown of all the recalls in the last 60 days, most issued in the U.S. but which may also affect some GCC-spec cars. Consult your local dealer.

Suzuki has recalled almost 70,000 SX4 models, of the 2008 to 2010 model years. The recall is due to faulty screws that are used to attach the car’s side view mirrors. Over time, vibrations can cause the screws to loosen and the mirror may fall off.

Ford issued a recall for only 71 of the new 2011 Lincoln MKX and 2011 Ford Edge models due to rear latches that are unable to be locked. The locks weren’t programmed properly from the factory, and as such, the rear gate can’t be locked by any of the buttons inside of the vehicle or even the key fob. This is unlikely to affect any cars in the GCC, as it was caught before these models hit showrooms here.

General Motors announced a recall for 2010 and 2011 model years of the Cadillac DTS. A few thousand vehicles are subject to this recall which effects power steering return lines. The starter or alternator cable can wear through these lines, causing a power steering fluid leak. This can not only result in the loss of power steering, but the liquid could drip onto hot engine parts, resulting in a fire.

Volvo recalled a handful of XC60 models for an airbag assembly issue that could result in the safety device failing to deploy or deploy improperly.

Volvo also recalled 6,046 vehicles of the 2011 model year due to a possible flaw in the engine control module. A fuel shut-off parameter in the software is too sensitive, and under certain conditions, the engine may stall. Volvo is concerned that the problem may lead to an accident, but the fix is just a software update. A total of four models are covered in the recall, namely the 2011 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70.

Yet again, Volvo is recalling a number of models due to faulty seat rails that may allow the passenger to slide the seat too far forward. The mechanism was manufactured wrong, and if the passenger is seated too close to the dash, an injury may occur during an accident. The fault affects a few thousand of the 2009-2011 S40, S60, V50 and XC60 models.

General Motors recalled nearly 200,000 Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Isuzu pickups, all rebadged versions of the same vehicle. The trucks are apparently equipped with a top child restraint tether anchor that’s not accessible as required by U.S. law in the centre seating position. We doubt these pickups coming to the GCC even have provisions for child seats, for obvious reasons.

Jaguar issued a recall covering all 2010-11 XJ sedans built between July 28, 2009 and November 3, 2010 due to defective windshield wipers. The front wiper arms to spindle fixings were not torqued to specification during manufacturing. As a result, the securing nuts could fail to perform as intended, resulting in a loss of wiper arm synchronisation and a clash of the wiper arms. We believe this recall has been confirmed for the GCC.

Land Rover announced a recall for 3,000 units of the LR2 model built between November 12, 2009 and August 23, 2010. The “shorting bar in the clock spring” may become disconnected when the driver’s airbag module connector is installed, which means the driver’s frontal airbag may not deploy.

Toyota has issued a recall-that-is-not-really-a-recall for the 2005-2010 Avalon to check for stripped bolts possibly damaged while dealer mechanics performed the stuck-accelerator-pedal recall, as some owners are complaining of loose pedal feel.

Hyundai-Kia recalled the 2011 Sorento and Santa Fe models for faulty brake calipers leading to fluid leaks, and issued a service bulletin for the 2011 Optima for squeaky pedals, both in the United States where the cars are built. Considering GCC-spec Hyundai and Kia models are built in Korea, these issues likely do not apply to cars here.

Chrysler is recalling 76,112 of the 2010-2011 Dodge Ram diesel trucks for a problem that may result in brake pedals that don’t return as quickly as they should. Of course, the diesel models are seemingly not imported to the GCC, so it may not apply here. However, a recall on the 2008 Chrysler Voyager, for water leaks that may accidentally trigger a warning light or accidental airbag deployment, all due to an improperly-installed HVAC hose grommet, may apply to the handful of minivans here.

Volkswagen has issued a recall of nearly 380,000 cars due to the potential for fuel leaks which could lead to a fire. A total of 266,936 Jetta and Golf models from 2007 to 2009 model years, as well as an additional 110,350 New Beetle models, are affected. The cars may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The Beetle may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line. Either issue could result in a fuel leak which could result in a fire. The dealer will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or for the Beetle, inspect the position of the fastening clamp.

General Motors is recalling 95,927 of the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS over faulty passenger sensing systems in the front passenger seat. Repeated flexing of this sensor mat can cause it to bend or fold, which can sever the connections of the mat’s sensors to safety devices within the car. A damaged sensor may not be able to detect the presence of a front seat passenger and could disable the airbag in a crash.

General Motors is also recalling the 2011 GMC Terrain and 2011 Cadillac SRX models over seatbelt buckle anchors that may fracture and separate in the event of a crash.

General Motors is also recalling a handful of 2011 full-size SUV models due to faulty rear axle cross pins. Among the 1,262 vehicles affected are the Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevy Silverado 1500, Cadillac Escalade EXT and GMC Sierra 1500. The rear axle cross pins were not manufactured up to proper specification and that the pin could “fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. The driver may hear a banging noise coming from the axle. If the pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.

Honda has announced that it will be recalling about 1.35 million Jazz hatchbacks around the world, of the 2002 to 2007 model years, to repair a headlight fault. A fault in the electric wiring between the handle switch and the headlights can cause the low beam to fail to light up. The recall has been confirmed for the GCC.

Honda is also recalling the 2011 Accord and Pilot models in the States, as they have been discovered to be susceptible to a failure in the front suspension. The bolts that attach the front dampers to the suspension may not have been properly tightened. In addition, the spindle nuts on the Pilot and Accord V6 may be loose as well, and both issues could cause a loss of steering. For the GCC, we’d say owners of the American-built Accord coupe and the Pilot will be affected here.

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Comments

  1. Old vehicles were built to last. New vehicles are built to RECALL….

  2. ^ I disagree!! I think old vehicles used to be recalled as-well but nowadays the media likes to over-hype things and make us think like our cars are going to rape us at any moment.. Prove me wrong otherwise..

    No denial demand has increased in the market, cost cutting and greed increased (yet cars arent priced cheaper than ever) but cars did improved in many ways good and bad…

  3. Present cars have got a lot of improvements in terms of looks, technologies and comfort. In terms of reliability the new camry cannot reach the same of the old cressida. Though cressida doesn’t look good or has any features. And also for off-road I don’t think the new land cruisers or patrols will perform like the old ones. But the new ones are really comfortable on road and less jerking off road.

  4. ^ Looks, performance, safety and reliability have all improved in newer cars.. Sure quality have been comprimised to some extent and lots of unecessary and sensitive gadgets and technologies are being sold in new cars.

    On the other hand most engines on today’s cars (90-present days) are more efficent, reliable and are guaranteed to last a million miles if “properly maintained” (something many people dont do well here especially in such climate)..

    Also the safety measures and not the mention improved handling and braking on most of today’s entry level cars is an extra factor..

    Sure the new camry is a rubbish car compared to the older generation which was ‘less commercialized’ but you cannot use it as a base to judge all new cars plus there are always alternatives.. For Example: Back in the days the late ’90s – early 2000s’ accords were rubbish look at the current ones quite a huge improvement arent they? even compared to the camry.. Or what about the altima? Or the new Infinitis..

    But the point im talking about here is how the media makes a huge fuss about automobile recalls nowadays like they never happened this frequently before in previous decades.. Nobody remembers or knows much about how many recalls were made on GM & Ford vehicles in the 80s all alone, quite scary recalls they were.. Sure those cars were heavy metal but they had issues and they were not perfect either..

    Plus think about how the number of cars have increased along with the increasing demand for the past 2 decades in the world; then you will not be surprised if the numbers on recalls are increasing..

    Mash, id appreciate if you shed the light on this…

  5. Well I should agree with many of your points. New vehicles have got really good improvements especially in the safety sectors, driving dynamics and efficiency. Features like the ABS including EBD is a real blessing when driving in rainy conditions or during heavy braking situations. Few times I got saved from crashing because of these features. But I still think buying a new vehicle nowadays are like expecting recalls are normal except for vehicles like the Land Cruiser safari models or the 76 series and the Nissan Patrol Y61 series.

  6. Personally I dont care about having the following luxuries in a mainstream car & they should come optional:
    – Push start ignition /Keyless ignition
    – 200 Airbags
    – Climate Control
    – Tire Pressure Monitor
    – DSC / ESP
    – Some Hi-tech DSG Auto gearbox..

    The thing is everything that doesnt sell outside comes to this market..

    No denial the old safaris and FJ70s were quite tough cars built for a purpose.. They havent changed much and I believe SUVs should stay on that level but improve in terms of refinement.. Patrols and Landcruisers are supposed to be premium 4X4 so no surprise they ditched their rugged truck nature over a range rover like nature..

  7. Yeah. I should agree those features are useless. Most people when looking for a new vehicle thinks the more number of airbags safer they can be on the road. The truth is the safer you drive, the safer you be on the road. And features like ESP/ DSC/ VDC all have limits. Those things help only in minor situation rest is in drivers hand.

    New Land cruisers and Patrols are based more on luxuries. But luckily both of them have the one of the best versions on production even now.

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