Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Jaguar issue recalls

VOLVO’S recall woes continue this month, with the Swedish brand issuing two more notices calling back 629 six-cylinder petrol S60, S80, V70, XC60 and XC70 models for engine management problems, plus seven XC60s to check and rectify curtain airbags that may have been incorrectly assembled.

In other recall news over the past week, Mercedes-Benz recalled 4833 C-class and E-class sedans and coupes to fix a potential power steering fault, while Jaguar recalled 69 of its new XJs to remedy loose windscreen wipers.

The Volvo airbag issue, which could result in a curtain airbag failing to deploy properly, affects just seven XC60s from MY2009 to MY2011 with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) 003297 to 138358.

Volvo says all seven XC60s affected by the airbag issue are with customers, and that it has sent out letters to inform them and invite them to contact their local Volvo dealer to have them inspected and adjusted if necessary.

The second Volvo recall – and its 12th this year – is to rectify an issue caused by over-sensitive fuel cut-off functionality in the engine management system of six-cylinder petrol engines, potentially resulting in the engine idle speed dropping, causing an engine stall during stop-start city driving when the driver brakes and releases the accelerator pedal.

From top: Volvo S80, Volvo XC70, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Mercedes-Benz E-class, Jaguar XJ.

The issue may also cause problems after the engine is restarted. Volvo’s recall notice states that, “when the driver tries to restart the engine and puts the gear shifter in 'D' or 'R', the driver must depress the accelerator pedal further than normal in order to put the vehicle in motion. During this time, the driver might find the gear engagement harsh and the operation of the transmission noisy.”

Affected Volvo models and their VIN ranges are as follows: S60 - 000194 to 012895 S80 - 134112 to 141219 V70 - 167118 to 183187 XC70 - 094133 to 102176 XC60 - 135074 to 165252.

According to Volvo Car Australia, of the 629 Volvos affected approximately 500 are with customers, none of whom have reported any incidents of the problem occurring.

Volvo is in the process of contacting the affected vehicle owners and says the solution to the problem is a 30-minute software download that can be performed by their local Volvo dealer.

The Mercedes-Benz recall affects 4833 C-class sedans, E-class sedans and E-class coupes manufactured between June 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010.

The recall covers the potential for a gradual power steering fluid leak at the connection between the high pressure line and the power steering pump. It is the company’s first recall this year for passenger cars – although there have been eight recalls for its commercial vehicles.

According to the recall notice, the fluid loss is “generally followed by a whining noise from the pump, and can lead to higher than normally required steering forces, particularly during parking manoeuvres.”

Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific says it has had no locally reported incidents of the problem, has notified all affected customers and that the necessary inspections and adjustments are being made by its dealers.

Jaguar’s second recall this year affects some examples of the new Jaguar XJ that have incorrectly tightened windscreen wipers, which could lead to the securing nut coming loose and the wiper arms going out of synchronisation or even detaching from their spindles.

Jaguar Australia told GoAuto that so far very few XJs have reached Australian customers and that only two cases have been reported overseas, adding that the remedial work takes less than 15 minutes, requiring no new parts. No other Jaguar models are known to be affected.