Maruti Suzuki India has issued a recall notice for a total of 87,599 vehicles comprising the entry level S-Presso hatchback and the Eeco van. The model-wise split of the recall has not been given by the company.
As per the company, the recall-impacted vehicles have been manufactured between July 5, 2021 and February 15, 2023. In its statement, Maruti Suzuki said: “It is suspected that there is a possible defect in a part of steering tie rod, used in such vehicles, which in a rare case, may break and affect vehicle steerability and handling. Affected vehicle owners will be receiving communication from Maruti Suzuki authorised dealer workshops for inspection and replacement of the faulty part, free of cost.”
Fourth vehicle recall in year to date, third-largest yet
This is the fourth recall by the passenger vehicle market leader in the year to date, which takes its total recalls to 123,351 units. The first was on January 17, 2023 for 17,362 units (both petrol/CNG variants) of the Alto K-10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno, Grand Vitara to check for a possible defect in the airbag controller, which could result in non-deployment of the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners in the event of a vehicle crash.
The second recall came six days later on January 23, 2023 for 11,177 petrol-engined Grand Vitaras to inspect for a possible defect in the rear seatbelt mounting brackets, which in a rare occurrence, could loosen in the long run and impact its functionality.
The third recall was made on April 21, 2023 for 7,213 Baleno RS hatchbacks, manufactured between October 27, 2016 and November 1, 2019 for a possible defect in the vacuum pump, which assists the brake function with the vehicle likely requiring increased effort in brake pedal application.
Since 2012, when SIAM’s voluntary vehicle recall policy came into effect, Maruti Suzuki has issued 29 recalls for a total of 863,901 vehicles, including latest recall of July 24, 2023.
The S-Presso and Eeeco recall for 87,599 units is the third largest, after the September 3, 2021 recall for 181,754 units of the Ciaz, Ertiga, XL-6, Breeza and S-Cross, and the July 15, 2020 recall for 134,885 Wagon Rs and Balenos to check for a faulty fuel pump.