In October 2017, 18 recalls were announced by Rapex, affecting 36 models of 12 different car manufacturers. The most affected were Peugeot and Dodge with 3 recalls while Citroën and Mercedes had two. The oldest recalled model was from 2004 (Nissan and Subaru).
Right at the beginning of October, Dacia recalled all owners of Dusters equipped with a single-tone horn. The horn proved to be incompatible with the car’s electrical system and it could affect the function of the driver-side airbag. The recall applies to all Dusters produced from the start of production (2009) until May 25, 2017.
In September 2017, Hyundai recalled its Tucson and Santa Fe models due to a faulty hood release cable that could cause the hood to open unexpectedly. Also in October, Citroën recalled 2015-2017 C4 Cactus models due to the same problem.
Starters
In the September summary, we mentioned the regularity France-made Peugeot, Citroën and Toyota vans made it on our recalls list. Then in October all Spacetourer, Jumpy, Traveler, Expert and ProAce owners were notified of another recall, this time due to an incorrectly mounted starter clamp which may cause the starter cable to crack and short. It is their tenth defect this year. The starter or its current limiter is apparently an issue for Mercedes’ Class A, B, CLA, C, GLC made from February 2014 until February 2017 and could potentially result in overheating and ignite surrounding parts. The starter issue still troubles Peugeot which this time has recalled its models 3008 and 5008 produced from April 2016 to July 2017. The starter supply terminal may come into contact with other engine parts and could cause short circuit. In addition, the Peugeot 5008 may suffer from poorly tightened rear wheel hub bolts which may loosen and impair handling. This concerns cars produced from April to July 2017.
Steering
BMW series 5, 6 and 7 made in August 2017 have a poorly mounted steering mechanism and the force required to turn will increase until the car becomes impossible to handle. The tiny Smart ForTwo made from March to June 2017 may have weak left front steering joints that could potentially break while driving. The four-door Smart ForFour suffers from the same defect.
Airbags
The 2007-2012 Mitsubishi Pajero‘s driver-side airbags inflator may explode and cause injuries. The same problem, albeit with the passenger-side airbag, appears in the Subaru Legacy made between 2004 and 2009. The airbag problems led Jeep to recall its Compass and Patriot models made between 2009 to 2014 as well as Chrysler’s Aspen from 2008 to 2010. In 2010-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and the 2010-2015 Journey driver’s airbag may automatically activate itself due to broken steering wheel wiring. Dodge recalled owners of the Durango and RAM models from 2008 to 2010. Even Nissan isn’t spared problems when it comes to exploding airbag activators. The following models are being recalled for service: Almera (2004-2006), Almera Tino (2004-2005), Terrano (2004-2006), Patrol (2004 – 2012), Navara (2004 – 2012) and X-Trail (2004 – 2012).
It would take rather significant bad luck to get a Mercedes V-Klasse made during this year’s 14 summer days which would not have been repaired by the dealer. However, it is good to know that between the 31st of July and the 16th of August the V’s were fitted with brake hoses with a possibly reduced cross-section.
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Currently 5102 Recalls