More than 70,000 cars recalled

HOLDEN has recalled 42,000 VF Commodores – almost every car since the new model went on sale in May last year – due to a fault with the front seatbelts.

And Hyundai has recalled all 32,525 examples of the ix35 – Australia’s biggest-selling small SUV – sold in the past three years due to a problem with the front airbag.

The Holden issue affects 2014-model Commodores and Caprices, and relates to the seatbelt pre-tensioning harness, which could fail to deploy in an accident.

“A condition has been identified where the pre-tensioner wiring harness on certain MY14 VF Commodore and WN Caprice vehicles may make contact with a bolt at the base of the seatbelt buckle assembly,” said an official Holden statement.

“In this circumstance, if the pre-tensioner wiring harness develops wear as a result of contacting the bolt, the airbag warning light may illuminate on the instrument cluster and there is a risk that the pre-tensioner may not deploy in the event of an accident.”

Holden says no instances of the fault have been reported, but all owners are encouraged to contact their dealer for an inspection.

Hyundai’s recall impacts all ix35s built between January 2011 and December 2013.

The South Korean company says an incorrectly tightened bolt in the steering wheel could cause the driver-side front airbag to malfunction and affect the operation of the horn.

Again, Hyundai says there have been no reported instances of the fault.

“It will not cause the airbag to deploy unintentionally,” said Hyundai Australia in an official statement. “(But) the effectiveness of the airbag could be reduced if the bolt is not tightened properly.”