Total recall, yet again: Volkswagen and Mazda recall over 600,000 vehicles

By Lulu Chang August 17, 2015

2015 Mazda CX 9 front angle 3 — Peter Braun/Digital Trends

Avoiding disaster before it happens appears to be the name of the game for Volkswagen and Mazda, who have recalled a combined total of some 613,000 vehicles, citing issues with steering loss and faulty airbags as the culprits. While no injuries have yet been reported as a result of these malfunctions, the two car giants are playing it safe and hoping to eliminate any chance of tragedy, especially following the Takata airbag disaster that has dominated much of the recall headlines over the course of the year.

As per documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mazda has recalled 190,000 CX-9 sports utility vehicles. Apparently, a water leakage is causing suspension parts to rust and fall apart, which could ultimately result in steering power loss. While the problem was initially noticed back in May of 2012, the problem has yet to be fully resolved. Cars made between the years 2007 and 2014 may be affected, and CX-9 owners have been notified and asked to visit a Mazda dealership for replacement parts.

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Volkswagen’s recall is even more extensive, with several different models requiring attention and assistance. With over 420,000 cars affected, the NHTSA reports that the problem stems from power cables that are meant to control the deployment of airbags in the case of a crash. However, in some cases, debris has severed these cables, resulting in the airbag’s failure to deploy.

Affected models include the 2010 to 2014 Volkswagen CC, Jetta, Passat, and Tiguran, as well as the Jetta and Eos from 2010 to 2013, the Golf and GTI from 2012 to 2014, and the Jetta SportWagen from 2011 to 2013.

As frustrating as it may be to address these issues, it is certainly a worthwhile hassle. With such serious issues on the line, the two car company’s display of proactive problem solving certainly places it in a better position than some others who have waited for disaster to strike before dealing with the problem. So if you’re the proud owner of any one of these vehicles, be sure to pay a visit to your nearest authorized dealer.

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