Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia, Land Rover, and Ram models recalled

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of national recalls, with models from Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia, Land Rover and Ram impacted.

Hyundai Australia has called back 30,340 examples of its DM-series Santa Fe, which was on sale from April 2, 2012 to July 1, 2016.

The large SUV’s secondary bonnet latch cable could potentially corrode, meaning it may fail to engage.

If this occurs, the bonnet will not be secured correctly, increasing the risk that it could fly open while the vehicle is on the move.

Such a situation would restrict the driver's visibility, which increases the injury risk for the vehicle's occupants and other road users.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Australia has recalled examples of its ZG- and ZH-series Outlander – sold between November 21, 2006 and February 28, 2013 – over a possible windshield wiper motor issue.

The structure of the front deck could allow water intrusion into the windshield wiper motor, with its breather hole letting accumulated liquid seep into the part.

As a result, components inside the windshield wiper motor may rust or seize, leading to the wipers themselves potentially becoming inoperative, which would reduce visibility during inclement weather and increase the risk of a crash.

Kia Australia has called backed 106 (combined) examples of its 2011 model year SL-series Sportage (55) and XM-series Sorento (51) over a possible fuel feed hose problem.

Kia Australia has called backed 106 (combined) examples of its 2011 model year SL-series Sportage (55) and XM-series Sorento (51) over a possible fuel feed hose problem.

Variants of the two models fitted with a turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine may experience premature deterioration of the fatigue-resistance and oil-proofing of the aforementioned part.

If such a defect eventuates, there is a chance of a fuel hose leak or fire, which would pose an injury risk to vehicle occupants and other road users.

Additionally, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Australia has recalled examples of its 2015 model year Defender over a potential front brake pipe defect.

Linking the caliper to the flexible brake hose, the pipe could chafe, with the issue impacting some Defenders that were previously called back in March 2015 over a different potential front brake problem.

American Special Vehicles (ASV) has recalled six combined examples of the Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 that it imports and converts for sale locally.

In this instance, brake fluid may be lost, which would activate a red warning light on the instrument cluster and result in extended brake pedal travel, as well as decreased overall braking performance.

Therefore, increased stopping distances and compromised vehicle stability will ensue, heightening the chance of an accident.

American Special Vehicles (ASV) has recalled six combined examples of the Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 that it imports and converts for sale locally.

The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module in affected vehicles may initiate a diagnostic trouble code, due to an external stimulus that disables its ability to sense rollover events.

If the ORC module is disabled in a situation like this, the airbags will not be deployed, resulting in an increased chance of injury or death.

Owners of affected Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia and Land Rover models will be contacted directly by their vehicle's respective manufacturer and instructed to organise a free-of-charge repair or replacement of any defective parts at a preferred dealership. 

Alternatively, Ram customers are urged to contact an authorised dealership, which will inspect and reprogram the faulty ORC module with new software at no cost.

Anyone looking for further information on these recalls – including a list of impacted Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) – can search the ACCC’s Product Safety Australia website.

Was your vehicle caught up in this round of national safety recalls? Tell us in the comments below.