MORE than 15,000 vehicles have been recalled by a major car maker over a common fault, with drivers urged to head to a dealership as soon as possible for a vital fix.
Fiat 124 Spider models produced between March 1, 2016, and August 31, 2020, made at Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima, Japan, have been recalled by its parent company Stellantis.
The Fiat 124 Spiders have been recalled[/caption]
More than 15,000 models made in one factory require a fix with their airbags[/caption]
The Japanese-made Italian roadster has been hit with a recall in the US, with a total of 15,835 units reporting the same issue.
Issues with software in the airbag control module are the reason for the recall.
In the result of a crash, the airbags would deploy with excessive force, according to the US auto safety regulator.
This increased the risk of an injury.
The accelerometer voltage specifications on the car were reportedly set incorrectly.
Dealers will update the airbag control module software for free if drivers bring their vehicles in, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday.
However, owners will have to wait until November 7, 2024, at the latest to receive their safety recall notification in the mail.
Owners can determine if their vehicles have been recalled by running their Vehicle Identification Number on the Fiat website.
As it was made in Japan, all of the Fiat 124 Spider models affected have an identification number starting with the letter J.
Alternatively, owners can use the NHTSA’s lookup tool.
The final model year in the US of the Fiat 124 Spider retailed at $25,390 plus $1,495 for the destination change.
Mazda reportedly first flagged the airbag deployment issue on the vehicles to Stellantis in July.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) merged with the French PSA Group early in 2021 to create Stellantis.
FCA stopped production of the roadster with the 2020 model year.
The news comes days after Ford recalled more than 140,000 trucks due to a dangerous issue.
The NHTSA reports that a driver support feature in the latest editions of the $25,000 Ford Maverick hybrid has developed a fault that could risk drivers’ safety.
The recall affects the variants of the model which feature a “Connected Touch Radio” (CTR) – an update to Ford’s in-car infotainment system.
How can I check if my car is part of a recall?
If you own a car that’s been recently recalled, you can easily check your VIN.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) makes it incredibly quick and easy for drivers to check and see if their vehicle is part of a recent (or past) recall.
The VIN checking tool also allows drivers to see whether or not the repair was completed within the last 15 years, making it an incredible tool for buyers of used cars.
All recalls initiated by the NHTSA mean free repairs for drivers, even if it’s an engine or a transmission replacement. If your VIN shows an active recall that has not been repaired, it’s important to make an appointment at your nearest dealership.
Here’s how to make an appointment for a recall:
- Look up your VIN using the NHTSA tool.
- Find out the recall number/ID from the manufacturer.
- Call your nearest dealership’s service center with the ID number handy, and mention you’d like to schedule an appointment to repair the recall. The repair can only be done at a dealership, as they’re authorized by the manufacturer to conduct the repair free of cost using genuine parts.
- Try to make the appointment as soon as possible.
- Once the repair is completed, the dealership will update the information associated with the VIN to reflect it’s been completed.
Source: NHTSA
Earlier this month, Ford, Toyota, and Acura recalled over 90,000 vehicles over a series of issues.
While also this month, the Mini Cooper and Countryman SUV rollout was delayed over a safety recall.
Around 80,000 BMW and Rolls-Royce models worldwide have been called back for the same issue, which could see drivers lose control of their cars.
