Holden Cruze recalled for third time for same fault

HOLDEN has issued its eighth recall in seven months — this time for the Cruze, for a third time — more than any other brand this year.

Carsguide 7542m Holden Cruze Z Series 2014 Picture: Riley Chris

HOLDEN has issued yet another recall for the Cruze small car because the driveshaft may separate and cause the vehicle to come to a sudden stop.

It is the third time the Cruze has been recalled for the same fault since September 2013, although this recall relates to diesel-powered models.

Holden says it will inspect approximately 7885 diesel-powered Cruze cars made in South Korea between February 2009 and December 2010 and those manufactured in Australia between October 2010 and May 2011.

“A condition has been identified where certain 2.0 litre diesel Cruze vehicles with an automatic transmission may have been built with a right-hand front drive-shaft that, under specific driving conditions, may separate,” said a statement from Holden.

“The separation may occur if a tight right-hand turn is made at low speed, while encountering a speed bump, sharp pothole or gutter which causes an overextension of the driveshaft.”

Holden says that should the driveshaft (which delivers power from the engine to the front wheels) separates, the car would lose speed but “steering, braking and all other safety systems remain functional”.

Holden says there have been no reports of accidents on injuries in Australia from this condition.

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The latest Holden Cruze recall follows a safety campaign in April 2014, in which 2712 cars powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine were recalled because the right-hand driveshaft “may fracture and separate”, which could bring the car to a “sudden” stop.

Holden recalled 681 Cruzes for the same driveshaft fault in September 2013.

But it recalled most of those cars again, as well as an additional 2031 vehicles in the April 2014 campaign (to bring the tally to 2712), as a precautionary measure after an improved part became available for overseas models.

Safety alert ... Holden last week issued a fourth recall for the Commodore because the LPG fuel system may cut out or catch fire.

The Cruze recalls in Australia follow the recall of 172,000 Cruze models sold in North America for the same driveshaft fault.

More than 52,000 Holden Cruzes have been recalled in Australia over the past five years, more than a third of the 135,000 sold since 2009.

Last week, the locally-made Holden Commodore was recalled for the fourth time in three months.

Last month Holden recalled 27,000 Commodores because the windscreen wipers may not work properly, and in May Holden recalled 42,000 Commodores over a potential fault with the front seatbelts.

The latest recall brings Holden’s tally to eight so far this year, two more than Toyota which has issued six recalls to date.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

Holden Cruze recalls in Australia:

July 2014 — 7885 cars recalled

Right-hand driveshaft, under specific driving conditions, may separate on 2.0-litre diesel models.

April 2014 — 2712 cars recalled

Right-hand driveshaft may fracture and separate on 1.8-litre petrol manual models.

Sept 2013 — 681 cars recalled

Right-hand driveshaft may fracture and separate on 1.8-litre petrol manual models.

August 2013 — 11,480 cars recalled

The brakes may not work properly on the 1.4-litre turbo petrol automatic models.

June 2012 — 9,547 cars recalled

Oil trapped in the belly pan could be an ignition source and cause a fire on 1.4-litre turbo petrol models.

December 2011 — 6,512 cars recalled

The fuel feed hose on diesel models could leak diesel fuel, and possibly catch fire.

May 2011 — 4,236 cars recalled

Seat belt fault. Passengers seated in the driver’s side rear or centre seat may not be restrained properly.

March 2010 — 10,462 cars recalled

Fuel feed hose fault in petrol models. The fuel feed hose may not have been manufactured correctly at the “swagged” end of the fuel hose to the fuel rail quick connector in the engine bay. A fuel leak may develop.

Source: Recalls.gov.au