Holden recalls VE Ute

GM HOLDEN has recalled 34,432 current-model VE Holden Utes to fix tailgates that can be jarred open if hit from the inside with sufficient force by an unsecured load.

In the biggest recall by any manufacturer in Australia this year, Holden is writing to owners of all of its Commodore-based workhorses built since the model was launched in October 2007, asking them to return their vehicle to their Holden dealer to have the tailgate latch fixed.

Holden says the “precautionary” recall follows recent incidents involving two customer vehicles.

Holden warranty engineering, customer satisfaction and quality director Craig Porritt said the likelihood of a tailgate becoming unlatched was low.

“But we will always err on the side of caution and administer a recall to ensure customer satisfaction and safety,” he said.

“Until the fix can be made to each vehicle, we ask our customers to continue to secure loose items in the cargo tray as recommended in the owner’s manual and use a Holden tonneau cover where possible to prevent the condition from occurring.

“If a vehicle does not have a tonneau cover, we recommend owners do not load items against the tailgate until the fix has been made.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.” While Holden has asked owners to contact their dealer to have the repair done, it has cautioned that timing will be subject to parts availability.

Utes affected by the recall are in the following vehicle identification number (VIN) ranges: 6G1E#42###L100048 - 6G1E#42###L458251 6G1E#42###L923162 - 6G1E#42###L983869.

Left: Daewoo Veritas.

Meanwhile, the Holden-made Daewoo Veritas – an export version of the Statesman for South Korea – has been caught up in GM’s recall of vehicles fitted with windscreen washer heating units that can short-circuit and catch fire.

However, the recall does not affect the Statesman and Caprice models sold in Australia, as they are not fitted with the faulty heater units that were fitted only to vehicles sold in cold climates where icing is a problem.

About 1300 Veritas luxury cars sold in Korea included in 1.5 million 2007-2009 GM vehicles recalled for the problem, mainly in North America.

As the US component company that supplied the units, Microheat, has gone bankrupt and closed, GM is simply removing the faulty units and paying compensation to owners.

GM tried to fix the problem in 2008 by having dealers install a fuse in the washer module’s wiring, but after five fires in cars in North America, the company decided to remove the units altogether.

Holden’s statement on the Veritas recall, however, does not refer to fires, saying: “In some circumstances, it is possible for the heated washer module to cause a thermal event.” The Vertias is one of four GM models affected by the recall in South Korea, the others being Cadillacs – the CTS, DTS and Escalade.

Owners are to get 120,000 won ($A114) compensation.