India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki said that it will recall 1,492 units of Ertiga, Swift, Dzire and A-Star models produced in October this year to rectify a possible problem with steering column.
The company, in a statement, said that it will inspect the steering columns for particular models manufactured between October 19, 2013 and October 26, 2013. The models include Ertiga (306 nos) Swift (592 nos) Dzire (581 nos) A-Star (13 nos). In a statement the company said that they will replace the steering if it is ‘found defective’ free of cost.
The news resulted in the company shares dropping in early trade. Maruti, which commands close to 40% of India’s passenger car market sold a total of 1,05,087 units in October 2013 registering a month on month growth of 1.9%. The company sold 96,062 units in the domestic market while it exported 9,025 units in October 2013 posting 0.1% and 27% growth respectively.
“This exercise is limited to vehicles within the above specified range and does not pertain to any other vehicle of the company or any of its exports,” the company said.
Maruti dealers are said to contact owners of the cars sold during the time. The new steering column has been dispatched to the dealer workshops.