Total Recall

[ltd]

Holden in huge car recall


March 14, 2006

LOCAL car producer Holden has recalled more than 120,000 cars to fix a problem with the side airbag system.

Holden today said the recall involved 89,167 cars sold in the domestic market and 34,552 export vehicles built in Australia between April 2003 and December 2005.

The list included Commodore, Statesman, Caprice, Monaro and Crewman models sold in Australia and similar vehicles sold in various countries, badged as other brands and models.

Holden said the recall only affected cars fitted with a side airbag system as a standard feature or an optional extra.

It had been issued following reports that side impact airbags had inflated under circumstances which did not warrant inflation.




"This may be caused by static electricity charge, generated in particular conditions, which stimulates the airbag inflator if an earthing wire under the seat has come loose," the company said.

"Such conditions can be generated only when the car is stationary and the person is exiting or has exited one of the front seats, as sufficient charge must be generated and the outer side seat bolster compressed to reach the side airbag inflator."

Holden said the problem would be fixed free of charge with the installation of an additional earth spring at the front of each height adjustable seat to correctly earth any charge.

It said there had been 13 reports of incorrect airbag inflation since 2003 but no reports of any accidents as a result.

Holden's executive director of engineering, Tony Hyde, said inflation would occur only while the car was stationary.

"Electrostatic charge accumulation usually requires some sort of moving activity which is generated while swinging out of a seat," Mr Hyde said.

"This action also brings the occupant closer to the side impact airbags as the backrest side bolster is compressed when getting out of the seat.

"The bolster will not be sufficiently compressed while driving to allow any charge to reach the inflator."

Holden said owners with affected cars would be contacted individually.

Details of the recall also were being published in national newspapers.




this would cost a few dollars