Skoda Superb with faulty airbag control unit, Kia’s brake assistant does not detect an obstacle (week 6/20)

16/02/2020

This week’s recalls:
– Skoda Superb – airbags
– Kia Sorento – brake assistant
– Seat Alhambra – airbags
– Renault Kangoo – rear axle

10 recalls for 12 models of 9 carmakers were announced in the 6th week of 2020. Renault had two actions, while Fiat, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Seat, Škoda, Toyota, and Volkswagen issued one recall each.

The Skoda Superb produced during the first eight months of 2015 may have a defect in the airbag control unit (ACU). This can impair the proper functioning of the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners and increase the risk of an injury in the event of an accident. The same defect is reported by the Seat with the Alhambra model, produced also in 2015 – see the table below.

The Kia’s Sorento 2020 braking assist may not activate during a frontal collision. Due to an error in the Frontal Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) software, the braking assist function may fail when the vehicle approaches a stationary vehicle or a pedestrian. Kia reported the same defect with the Optima model in September 2019. We mention this in the article Nissan to recall 1.5 million cars due to the brake assist problems.

Other recalls announced in the 6th week of 2020

Make, Model, Years	Issue
Fiat Panda (2019)	The Fiat logo on the steering wheel cover is not sufficiently attached.
Mercedes-Benz eVito (2018 – 2019)	The bolt connecting the electric motor housing and the power electronics might be defective.
Opel Vivaro (2019)	The bolting of the rear axle can be defective.
Opel Zafira Life (2019)	The bolting of the rear axle can be defective.
Renault Kangoo (2019)	The components on the rear axle may not be sufficiently clamped.
Renault Master (2018 – 2019)	Passenger airbag fixing screws can be insufficiently tightened or missing.
Seat Alhambra (2015)	A condenser of the airbag control might fail.
Toyota RAV4 (1997-1999)	The airbag’s inflator body may rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material.
Toyota Yaris (1997-1999)	The airbag’s inflator body may rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material.
Volkswagen Amarok (2015)	The glue that holds the glass side-windows on the hardtop has insufficient adhesion.

-rb-

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What should an owner do if there's a recall?

Please note that the recall may not apply to all vehicles produced in a given period. If you think your car might be affected, you should immediately contact an dealer or workshop officially authorised to perform repairs on behalf of the manufacturer and ask for the details. You can use our sample request text. After reporting the vehicle's VIN code, you will find out if the defect is present on your car, or if it has already been resolved by the previous owner if the car was purchased second-hand.