Maruti recalls 1,500 units of four models

Recall to rectify a possible problem with steering column

Maruti Suzuki India , the country’s largest car maker, on Wednseday said it would recall 1,492 units of Ertiga, Swift, Dzire and A-Star models produced in October to correct a possible problem with steering column.

The company said the problem might have surfaced in 306 Ertiga, 592 Swift premium hatchback, 581 Dzire sedan and 13 A-Star cars made between October 19 and 26.

“If the steering column is found defective, the company will replace the steering column for free,” the company said. It has already despatched new steering columns to dealer workshops.

This recall is limited to vehicles in the specified range produced for the domestic market and does not pertain to any other vehicle of the company or any of its exports. Maruti Suzuki dealers will contact owners of all vehicles in the above range.

The last big recall made by the company was in February 2010, when it recalled about 100,000 A-Star cars, its flagship export model, to replace a faulty fuel pump gaskets and the O ring, which can leak if the tank is filled to the brim. Maruti Suzuki also recalled 13,157 diesel variants of Swift, DZire and Ritz cars in April 2011 to examine a faulty engine part.

In July this year, General Motors India recalled 114,000 units of the Tavera multi-purpose vehicle made between 2005 and 2013. The US-based automobile maker has admitted to the government an internal probe had revealed company employees violated testing norms and re-fitted already approved engines in new Tavera models sent for inspection to meet emission norms.

The company also said executives had tinkered with the weight of both the BS-III and BS-IV variants sent for testing to meet emission standards. The recall led to the firing of Sam Winegarden, GM’s vice-president for global engine engineering, and Anil Mehrotra, India chief financial officer, among 20 employees across India and the US. Later in September, the company also recalled 4,000 diesel variants of its Sail model to address a potential engine issue.

Overall, Indian automakers ranging from Ford, Renault, Honda, Mahindra to Yamaha have recalled more than 300,000 vehicles since the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) announced a voluntary recall code in July 2012.