Australian Car Advice | News Blog

We didn’t go out on a limb and label Jeep as the most unreliable brand without merit. Safety reports from the States are causing even more headache for DaimlerChrysler (Jeep’s owner). The new Jeep Wrangler is stalling, 53 complaints have been made, mostly involving the Jeeps stalling at highway speeds as well as 12 cases of complete loss of electrical power and lighting.

The complaints have resulted in the 2007 Jeep Wrangler range undergoing investigation by U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At this stage details are a little sketchy and the authorities are only investigating, however the investigation could affect 35,000 vehicles, including (Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Four Door).

Jeep Australia have currently not responded to whether or not the issue affects Australian delivered vehicles, we suspect the issue will not affect Australian delivered vehicle.s The problem has presented itself in both the two and four-door models.

Toyota Camry Headlight Dimmer Switch Recall

Make & Model: Toyota Camry

Product Model: ACV36R and MCV36R

Number of vehicles affected: 144,589

Model Years From: June 2002 through May 2006

VIN Range: ACV36R. WMI 6T1. VDS 53BK36. VIS 0X000001 ~ 0X107554. MCV36R. WMI 6T1. VDS 53XK36. VIS 0X270001 ~ 0X321501

Whats wrong: The headlamp switch contact points over time may oxidise (corrode) due to insufficient current flow through the switch. This oxidation may cause the headlamps (low or high beam) to flicker without warning and in the worst case may cause the headlamps to extinguish momentarily.

What should you do: All owners of affected vehicles will be contacted individually by letter.

Make & Model : Nissan D40 Navara

Number of Vehicles affected: 584

VIN Range: From VSKCLND40A0033906 to VSKCLND40A0184104

Whats wrong?: The ID Plate (fitted on the LH B-pillar) has been potentially stamped with the wrong Approval (CPA) number. If ignored, this condition could result in a potential regulation issue.

What should you do?: Contact your nearest Nissan Dealer to arrange for rectification of your vehicle.

Although Ford is not calling it a recall - we tend to look past the PR damage-control management tactics. Ford has launched what they like to call a service campaign to replace brake hoses in 200,000 Falcons made from September 2002 to March 2007.

The change will be made at owners’ next service (conducted at Ford customer relations centres or Ford dealers).

“0.5 per cent of the population (~1,000) of Falcon cars (BA to BF) have experienced this occurrence, when it does occur, there is a softening of the brake pedal. The car still operates within all of the ADR (Australian Design Rule) requirements, braking within the prescribed distances.” Ford Australia spokesman Edward Finn said.

You can see how Ford have managed to use a loophole in order to avoid an official recall. Surely whilst the cars might still comply with ADR requirements, given the change in brake feel, likelihood of an accident will undoubtedly increase.

“The rear brake hoses on certain sedan models are being replaced because in certain circumstances they wear excessively and the brakes lose their operating effectiveness,” Mr Finn said.

Don’t rush to your nearest service centre yet, the issue should be easily noticeable, and accompanied by a warning light in the instrument cluster.

Although this is not officially a recall, Ford are happy to replace any brake hoses for customers who feel their brakes fade, without having to wait till the next service. Ford denies that any accidents or injury have been caused by the issue.

Make & Model: Volvo C70

Number of vehicles affected: 173

Model Years From: MY07 (2007)

Whats wrong: An incorrect temporary assembly instruction resulting in a faulty assembly of the left door handle Bowden cable attachment. This incorrect assembly may result in the left door not meeting the legal requirements at a certain collision scenario.

What should you do?: Contact your nearest Volvo dealer. The repair will be carried out at no cost to the owner.

Peugeot 206 307 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Recall

Make & Model : Peugeot 206, 307

Number of Vehicles Affected: 228

Model Years From: January, February, March 2006
Whats wrong?: In certain cases the engine coolant temperature sensor may be cracked, tThis cracking could cause the engine coolant temperature warning light to come on inadvertently and in rare cases, may cause engine operating faults.

What you should do?: Contact your nearest authorised Peugeot dealer.

Make & Model: Honda Civic Sedan and 5 door variant

Number of Vehicles Affected: 7,979

Model Years From: 2001,2002

Whats wrong?: The low beam headlamps may fail to operate. This condition will occur due to an increase in contact resistance caused by oxidation between the male terminal of the head lamp combination switch and the adjoining terminal coupler.

Due to movement between the male and female terminals a build up of dioxide film is created, increasing resistance and causing heat build up to a point where the terminal connector begins to melt. Due to this reaction, plastic material from the terminal connector merges with the male and female terminals interrupting continuity, causing the headlamps to become inoperative.

VIN Range: 01YM Civic 4DR Sedan and 5DR. 4DR. JHMES16501. JHMES15501. From S200010 to S205561. 5DR. JHMEU38301. JHMEU38501. JHMEU37501. JHMEU37301. From S200003 to S204484. 02YM Civic 4 DR Sedan. 4DR. MRHES15502. From P040001 to P040060. MRHES16502. From P040001 to P040270.

What should you do?: Honda Australia will contact owners of affected vehicles.
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Mitsubishi Lancer wagon tailgate gas strut mounting bracket recall

Make & Model : Mitsubishi Lancer Wagon

Number of vehicles affected: 7145

Model Years From: Wagons built from July 1993 to December 2002

Whats wrong?: There is a possibility that the bolts attaching the tailgate gas strut mounting bracket to the body may become loose. In the worst case the bolts may be subjected to increased stress and this could result in separation of the strut to body mounting bracket and/or bolt failure allowing the tailgate to close unexpectedly from the fully open posiition.
What should you do?: Contact your nearest Mitsubishi dealer.

Peugeot 206 307 engine coolant temperature sensor recall 

Make & Model: Peugeot 206, 307

Number of affected vehicles: 89

Model Years From: April 2006

Whats wrong?: The engine coolant temperature sensor may be cracked. This could cause the enging coolant temperature warning light to come on inadvertently and in rare cases may cause engine operating faults.

What should you do?: Dealers have been requested to contact owners and carry out the necessary rework as quickly as possible

This Recall is now completed, the affected vehicles have been fixed.

2007 Volvo V50 Recall

Make & Model : 2007 Volvo V50

Number of Vehicles Affected: 2

Whats wrong: Certain spot welds in the roof area may deviate from the specification. This deviation may weaken the brackets for the front and rear load net fixations. At certain driving conditions, such as a sudden braking, the driver and passengers may be exposed to the risk of being hit by projecting load.

Campaign Number: R87026

What should you do?: Contact your local Volvo dealer.

Make & Model: Ford Falcon

Number of Vehicles Affected: 3,788

Model Years From: 2006 to 2007

Whats wrong?: :The affected LPG tanks (see below) may have a service valve hand tap fitted with undersized O-rings which may cause LPG to leak from the hand tap spindle.

Product Info: BF11 E-Gas. Models built from November 2006 to March 2007

Consumer action: Known owners will be contacted by mail. For further information, contact any authorised Ford Dealer or Ford’s Customer Relationship Centre on 13 36 73.