Holden Barina, Trax Recalled Over Self-Starting Fears

Models in Holden’s light Barina range and compact Trax SUV have been recalled this week over fears that, in certain conditions, the vehicles may power up on their own.

For the Barina, the recall affects models built between march 2011 and July 2014, along with Trax models built between January 2013 and June 2014. In all, the recall affects some 9186 vehicles.

Holden says the recall is specific to certain 1.6 litre versions of the Barina and 1.8 litre models in the Trax range, across the build period described.

The recall notice, posted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s recalls.gov.au website, states that affected vehicles, if left with the key in the ignition, could potentially trigger the vehicle’s engine to start.

“A wear condition in the ignition key cylinder actuator trigger may allow the vehicle starter motor to crank the engine if the key is left inside the ignition key cylinder and in the “OFF” position, while the vehicle is parked,” the notice reads.

Holden notes, however, that the condition cannot occur if the key is removed from the ignition key cylinder.

The recall affects manual and automatic models, although the danger is greater if the owner has left the vehicle’s manual transmission in gear, because the vehicle may jerk forwards or backwards if the park brake is not sufficiently applied.

The carmaker says there have been no injuries or major incidents as a result of the issue, and owners will have their ignition barrels replaced free-of-charge.

Holden says the recall is not related to a wider ignition-related recall announced overseas.

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