800,000 cars recalled in two days

Cars are either being built worse -- or companies are getting better at detecting faults.

Almost every Mitsubishi model sold in Australia over the past 10 years -- close to 500,000 cars -- and 324,000 of Toyota’s most popular cars are being recalled for safety reasons.

Although the faults are different, the recalls for 800,000 cars amount to the highest number ever issued in a two-day period in Australia.

Mitsubishi is recalling a range of models made over the last 10 years including Lancer sedan, Triton ute, Pajero 4WD, Outlander SUV, Challenger SUV, Colt hatchback and the iMiev electric car.

Faults include electrical problems which can affect turn signals, wipers and lights.

On the Mitsubishi Evo performance car the handbrake cable can rub on the fuel tank, causing it to rust and leaving it exposed to a possible fuel leak.

The industry is still struggling to keep up with replacing potentially deadly Takata airbags in 1.3 million cars in Australia. 

Among the 324,000 Toyotas recalled in Australia are the Prius hybrid, Corolla sedan and hatch and Rukus box-shaped small car built between October 2008 and February 2015.

Toyota says the recall is due to the possibility that “a crack may develop on the fuel suction plate assembled to the fuel tank”.

“If this occurs, the crack could expand over time and fuel may eventually leak when the vehicle has a full tank of petrol. Fuel or fuel vapor in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a vehicle fire,” Toyota says.

Toyota is also issuing a second, airbag-related recall for the Prius because “some (airbag) inflators could have a small crack in the weld area joining the chambers … and one or both sections of the inflator could enter the interior of the vehicle. If an occupant is present in the vehicle, there is an increased risk of injury”.

Owners of the affected Mitsubishi and Toyota cars will be notified by mail and asked to make an appointment to take their car to the nearest dealership, where repairs will be made free of charge.

The recalls come as the industry is still struggling to keep up with replacing potentially deadly Takata airbags in 1.3 million cars in Australia that can spray shrapnel if deployed in a crash.

Do you think the car manufacturers are handling the Takata recall well? Tell us what you think in the comments below.