Fiat Ducato and Scudo commercial vehicles recalled

TWO recalls have been issued this month for Fiat vans, with a total of 355 vehicles affected across the large Ducato and mid-sized Scudo ranges due to potential spare wheel support or power steering problems.

The largest recall involves 305 Ducato X2/50 vehicles that could have their spare wheel support system break, resulting in the spare wheel becoming detached.

A recall notice on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website says the problem may occur “in some cases… due to incorrect operation”.

50 Scudo vans are being recalled because a “possible layout non-compliance” could cause the wiring to the electric power steering pump to chafe on a steel edge of the left front wheel arch, resulting in “failed operation” of the power steering.

Fiat importer Ateco’s public affairs manager Edward Rowe told GoAuto that no reported examples of either fault had been reported in Australia.

Owners of affected Ducato and Scudo vehicles will be contacted by letter and are advised to contact their local Fiat dealership for inspection.

In the case of the Ducato, the spare wheel lifting and support device will be replaced with a new item and any Scudos found to be non-compliant will have the fault rectified and any necessary repairs performed.

During July last year 327 Scudos witted with the 2.0-litre JTD diesel engine and air-conditioning were recalled to have a fastener attached to the fuel return pipe, preventing it from coming into contact with the engine sound insulation cover.

Fiat Ducato sales are up 2.5 per cent to the end of August, with 569 sold, while the Scudo is 34.2 per cent down with just 79 sales. The Ducato is by far Fiat’s best selling model, making up more than half of the brand’s sales in Australia.

Total Fiat sales to the end of August are 987 units, an increase of 8.5 per cent.