Rolls-Royce recalls more cars in Australia

The recall is equivalent to more than one year of sales in Australia, and is not due to a safety issue but because owners might notice the smell of fuel coming from the car. It follows two recalls at about this time last year that took in almost every Rolls-Royce sold in Australia over the previous 10 years for a potential brake failure and fire risk.

The $645,000 Ghost limousine is being recalled this time simply because customers may notice the smell of fuel when approaching their vehicles. The director of global communications for Rolls-Royce, Richard Carter, told News Limited: “Australia seems to be at the moment the only country around the world to make this recall on a safety basis. It’s a minor fuel vapour venting issue. As fuel is naturally vented from the fuel tank when not in use it goes through a carbon filter … which removes any odours.

“The software is not properly working. That means that you could when approaching your car smell fuel,” Carter said. “We are convinced this is not a safety issue because fuel vapours occur on any car, it’s just that you don’t smell them.”

Last year Rolls-Royce recalled approximately 74 of the company's flagship Phantom sedans, coupes and convertibles sold between 2003 and 2009, and approximately 36 of its Ghost sedans sold between 2009 and 2011. It amounted to most cars sold over the previous 10 years and almost $100 million worth of vehicles. The latest recall affects only $12 million worth of vehicles.

Product Safety Recalls Australia reported last year the $645,000 Ghost was being recalled because: “If the turbo cooling pump cracks, the pump electronics may smoulder, possibly causing an engine compartment fire or a vehicle fire.”

At the same time, the agency issued a notice that the $1 million Phantom range was being recalled because of “the possibility of oil entering the brake booster, there may be a reduction in power braking assistance and an increased chance of an accident occurring.”