HOLDEN and Lotus have issued recalls for a combined 517 cars after defects in the fuelling systems of the 2.0-litre diesel Commodores and supercharged Elises were deemed fire risks.
Completely unrelated to each other, the Holden recall affects 365 MY18 and MY19 ZB Commodores and revolves around a clip which has been found to rub against the fuel pump return hose and chafe its way through to create a leak.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the leak could result in a fire igniting if fuel drips or falls onto the hot exhaust system, posing “a risk of injury to vehicle occupants, bystanders and/or damage (to) property”.
Holden is currently contacting affected owners though the ACCC has encouraged owners to be proactive and contact their nearest dealership to arrange an inspection and subsequent repair.
Lotus’ recall meanwhile centres around plastic spacers sitting between the fuel rail and cylinder head on 152 supercharged Elise 2ZRs produced between 2011 and 2019.
The spacers in question have been found to expand and contract with engine temperature which over time can loosen the bolts securing the fuel rail to the cylinder head, causing the fuel rail to vibrate and come away from the engine.
According to the ACCC this could result in engine failure as well as a fuel leak onto the hot engine which then has the potential to ignite a fire “which could result in an accident, serious injury or fatality”.
Like Holden, Lotus Australia is currently contacting affected owners and making arrangements to replace the defective spacers once they become available in Australia.