Vehicle recalls a common occurrence these days

SHAH ALAM: Vehicle recalls are a fairly common occurrence these days.

In early 2013, Perodua recalled 74,000 Myvi variants produced between March 2011 and March 2012 to replace the electronic power steering column.

Last October, more than 60,000 Toyota cars in Malaysia were part of a global Toyota recall to check for a defective power window master switch.

Last September, Honda Malaysia also recalled 12,232 units of the 2014 City and 97 units of the 2015 Jazz for a software defect concerning the continuously variable transmission.

“Automakers don’t like to use the word ‘recall’ as it has negative connotations. They will use terms like service fix and preventive measure campaigns,” said an industry observer.

On Proton’s recall campaign, involving 94,577 vehicles with Campro CFE turbocharged engines, a Proton spokesman said this was not the first time Proton has done a service fix campaign.

“Similar campaigns were conducted for the Exora Bold CFE radiator connector issue in 2014, and Inspira drive belt pulley last year. We have been very transparent about such campaigns,” he said.

However, this is the largest number of Proton vehicles involved in such a campaign.

“The number of vehicles involved is big because three Proton models are affected, unlike previous campaigns when only one particular model was affected.

“Proton owners can also call the 1800-888-398 hotline. The repairs will be done at 3S and 4S (sales, service, spare parts and systems) centres,” the spokesman said.