Holden reworks recall

HOLDEN will recall a massive 52,000 Commodore and Statesman models to deal with a potential component failure affecting fuel pump and low beam headlight relays.

The problem affects the VTII and VX Commodore and Calais, WH Statesman and Caprice and the new VU ute models and their HSV counterparts built between June, 1999, and March, 2001, although Holden stressed that particular ranges within those dates were affected, rather than all models.

Holden is calling the move a "rework action" rather than a recall on the grounds that it is a voluntary precautionary measure and not safety related.

But the problem involves an interruption of the electrical current to the fuel pump relay, fuel pump connectors and the low-beam headlight relay.

This could cause the fuel pump and low-beam lights to fail.

"Reworks happen quite frequently as part of normal business, it's just when it involves the top-seller it draws a lot of attention," Holden public affairs general manager John Morrison said.

"Recalls are safety related and there's strict criteria that apply to that. There isn't a safety element in this case so our judgment is that this is a rework rather than a recall." Holden has contacted the owners of these vehicles by mail, asking them to present their vehicles at the nearest dealership to check and rectify any problems.