No less than seven vehicles have been recalled for safety-related issues by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over the past two weeks.
The latest round of vehicle safety recalls covers the spectrum, from entry-level small cars to large SUVs and luxury cars.
The largest number of vehicles affected are Holdens, including the compact Barina and Trax, and large Colorado 7 SUV.
Holden
Combined, a total of 9188 Holden Barina and Trax models have been recalled due to an issue that can lead to vehicles with manual transmissions starting unintentionally.
There have been five reports of the vehicles starting by themselves in Australia (but no reports of accidents or injuries), which can occur when the key is left in the ignition barrel in the 'off' position. This is due to wear within the ignition key cylinder.
Holden issued a release stating: "If, when the vehicle is parked, the ignition key is left in the cylinder, the manual transmission is left in gear and the park brake is insufficiently applied, the vehicle starter motor may crank and the vehicle may move unintentionally."
As with most recalls, Holden will contact the 9188 owners of the 1.6-litre Barinas (MY12 to MY15) and 1.8-litre Trax (MY13 to MY14) and replace the parts free of charge.
As we forecast a couple of weeks ago, Holden has now recalled 3116 Holden Colorado 7 off-roaders (MY13 to MY14) manufactured in Thailand, after an issue was identified "whereby the specification within the third row seatbelts are not compliant to Australian Design Rules", says Holden.
The problem can lead to the locking of the belt when the car is parked on an incline, but zero reports of the issue have been confirmed in Australia.
Again, Holden is contacting affected owners of the large seven-seat SUV to arrange appointments with dealers/service centres, to replace the third-row seat belts free of charge.
Mercedes-Benz
A total of 946 new-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans have been recalled in Australia due to an issue whereby the steering coupling lock may not properly engage.
At best the result can be a rattling noise, at worst a "possible loss of steering control", according to the recall notice. Mercedes says a letter will be sent to all owners of affected vehicles, with provisions made to rectify the issue.
Toyota
Toyota's seven-seat large SUV, the Kluger, was issued with a recall notice due to a possible fuel leak. According to the recall notice, the end cap on a fuel delivery pipe in the engine on recent 2014 models "may have been insufficiently welded" and could result in a fuel leak, with the "possibility of a fire hazard".
A total of 650 vehicles are affected, and Toyota says parts to fix the problem are arriving soon.
If owners smell fuel inside or outside their vehicle, they are instructed to "immediately stop driving the vehicle". All owners of the faulty Toyota Klugers will be contacted by mail to organise repairs.
Mazda
Mazda6 sedans and wagons fitted with the 2.5-litre petrol engine and sold between November 2013 and October 2014 are being recalled due to "a programming error" that affects the i-Stop engine idle-stop system.
A total of 1298 vehicles have been affected and in a worst-case scenario the cars "may fail to provide an adequate supply of electric power to the fuel pump following i-Stop operation", which can "cause the fuel pump to stop operating, preventing the engine restarting or stalling after initial take off", according to the recall notice.
This can result in a traffic hazard for all road users. Mazda Australia is contacting all affected owners, in order to rectify the issue via free servicing appointment.
It's not known how many vehicles are affected, but Jeep Australia has been contacted for details.
The ignition switch defect has the potential to result in loss of engine power, power steering and braking assistance, which could increase the risk of a crash and possibly disable "one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal airbags".
Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Jeep to organise the rectification of the issue.