When your power steering suddenly cuts out while you're driving down the highway, those crucial seconds can mean the difference between a safe stop and a serious accident.
That's exactly the scenario facing thousands of Australian drivers following a major recall of the popular GWM Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute.
GWM Australia has issued a nationwide product safety recall affecting 2,458 Cannon Alpha vehicles—including diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants—produced between 2023 and 2025.
The issue stems from a manufacturing defect where the Electronic Power Steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged.
'A sudden loss of power steering while driving and/or an engine shutdown increases the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users, and bystanders.'
In this Article
What you need to do right now
If you own a GWM Cannon Alpha, don't wait to act. You'll need to schedule an appointment with an authorised GWM dealership as soon as possible to have the rectification work carried out, free of charge.
The company has been clear about the urgency—the vehicle may experience a loss of power steering or engine shutdown without warning, increasing the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders.
Key Takeaways: Immediate action required for GWM Cannon Alpha owners
- Check if your vehicle is affected using the VIN list from your dealer
- Book a free repair appointment immediately at any authorised GWM dealership
- If power steering fails or engine shuts down while driving, pull over safely and have the vehicle towed
- Contact GWM Customer Service on 1800 038 100 for assistance
If power steering is lost or an engine shutdown occurs while you're driving, GWM advises you to pull over to a safe location immediately, stop driving, and have the vehicle towed to your nearest GWM dealership.
Don't attempt to drive the vehicle if these symptoms occur—the safety risk is simply too high.
GWM's complex Australian journey
This recall comes at an interesting time for GWM, which has quite a story to tell in the Australian market.
GWM was the first Chinese brand to launch in Australia at a large scale, and its success largely paved the way for the plethora of brands from the country now on sale here.
However, the road hasn't always been smooth. In 2012, almost 25,000 Chery and Great Wall vehicles were recalled by distributor Ateco after discoveries of asbestos in the engine and exhaust gaskets—a far more serious safety issue than the current power steering problem.
GWM Australia by the numbers
First Chinese brand to launch at scale in Australia (2009)
Currently Australia's second-largest Chinese automotive brand
Over 200,000 vehicles sold in Australia to date
Expects to surpass 50,000 annual sales in 2025
Customer Service: 1800 038 100
Despite past challenges, GWM has now reached 200,000 sales in Australia and shows no signs of slowing down. The company expects to surpass 50,000 annual sales in 2025 off the back of new model launches and increased dealer coverage.
The changing face of Australian automotive
This recall highlights the evolving landscape of the Australian car market, where Chinese brands are becoming increasingly prominent.
GWM holds second place on Australia's sales charts among Chinese brands, though MG still holds top honours.
The Cannon Alpha itself represents GWM's push into the competitive Australian ute market, offering diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options to attract environmentally conscious buyers without sacrificing the rugged capability that Australian drivers demand.
Understanding vehicle recalls in Australia
Vehicle recalls might seem alarming, but they're actually a sign of a robust safety system working as intended. When manufacturers identify potential safety issues, they're legally required to notify owners and fix problems at no cost.
For GWM recalls, you can contact GWM Customer Support on 1800 038 100 or visit their website for dealer locations. The company has established proper channels to handle these situations efficiently.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Modern vehicle recall processes in Australia are far more consumer-friendly than they once were. Manufacturers are required to fix problems at no cost and often provide courtesy vehicles during repairs.
What this means for Australian car buyers
The rapid growth of Chinese automotive brands in Australia means recalls like this will likely become more common as these manufacturers establish their presence and work through initial quality issues. The key is how companies respond—and in this case, GWM appears to be taking appropriate action quickly.
For Australian consumers, especially those over 60 who may remember when recalls were less common or poorly handled, it's worth noting that modern recall processes are far more consumer-friendly than they once were. Manufacturers are required to fix problems at no cost, often providing courtesy vehicles during repairs.
What This Means For You
Have you been affected by this recall, or do you have experiences with other vehicle recalls that might help fellow readers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—your insights could help others navigate this process more smoothly.
Read more: Safety first: Why the this vehicle recall matters for Australian drivers
Original Article
https://www.standard.net.au/story/9051060/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled/
GWM Cannon Alpha recalled | CarExpert
Cited text: A total of 2458 GWM Cannon Alpha diesel, hybrid and PHEV vehicles produced between 2023 and 2025 are affected.
Excerpt: GWM Australia has issued a nationwide product safety recall affecting 2,458 Cannon Alpha vehicles—including diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants—produced between 2023 and 2025
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled
GWM Cannon Alpha recalled | Oberon Review | Oberon, NSW
Cited text: ... 'Due to a manufacturing defect, the Electronic Power Steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become dam...
Excerpt: a manufacturing defect where the Electronic Power Steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged
https://www.oberonreview.com.au/story/9051060/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled/
GWM Cannon Alpha recalled | Western Advocate | Bathurst, NSW
Cited text: ... 'Due to a manufacturing defect, the Electronic Power Steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become dam...
Excerpt: a manufacturing defect where the Electronic Power Steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged
https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/9051060/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled/
GWM Cannon Alpha recalled | CarExpert
Cited text: If you own an affected vehicle, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with an authorised GWM dealership as soon as possible to have the rectification...
Excerpt: You'll need to schedule an appointment with an authorised GWM dealership as soon as possible to have the rectification work carried out, free of charge
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled
GWM Cannon Alpha recalled | Oberon Review | Oberon, NSW
Cited text: 'As a result, the vehicle may experience a loss of power steering or engine shutdown without warning. 'A sudden loss of power steering while driving a...
Excerpt: the vehicle may experience a loss of power steering or engine shutdown without warning, increasing the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users and bystanders
https://www.oberonreview.com.au/story/9051060/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled/
GWM Cannon Alpha recalled | CarExpert
Cited text: GWM says that if power steering is lost or an engine shutdown occurs, drivers should pull over to a safe location, stop driving, and have the vehicle ...
Excerpt: If power steering is lost or an engine shutdown occurs while you're driving, GWM advises you to pull over to a safe location immediately, stop driving, and have the vehicle towed to your nearest GWM dealership
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/gwm-cannon-alpha-recalled
GWM: A guide to everything you need to know | CarExpert
Cited text: GWM was the first Chinese brand to launch in Australia at a large scale, and its success largely paved the way for the plethora of brands from the cou...
Excerpt: GWM was the first Chinese brand to launch in Australia at a large scale, and its success largely paved the way for the plethora of brands from the country now on sale here
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/gwm-a-guide-to-everything-you-need-to-know
Great Wall Motor—Wikipedia
Cited text: In 2012, almost 25,000 Chery and Great Wall vehicles were recalled by Ateco after discoveries of asbestos in the engine and exhaust gaskets.
Excerpt: In 2012, almost 25,000 Chery and Great Wall vehicles were recalled by distributor Ateco after discoveries of asbestos in the engine and exhaust gaskets
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_Motor
GWM Reviews, Price and Specifications | CarExpert
Cited text: The first Chinese automaker in Australia has now reached 200,000 sales, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Excerpt: GWM has now reached 200,000 sales in Australia and shows no signs of slowing down
https://www.carexpert.com.au/gwm
GWM Reviews, Price and Specifications | CarExpert
Cited text: GWM Australia expects to surpass 50,000 annual sales in 2025 off the back of new model launches and increased dealer coverage.
Excerpt: The company expects to surpass 50,000 annual sales in 2025 off the back of new model launches and increased dealer coverage
https://www.carexpert.com.au/gwm
GWM: A guide to everything you need to know | CarExpert
Cited text: That’s helped it to second-place on Australia’s sales charts among Chinese brands, though MG still holds top honours.
Excerpt: GWM holds second place on Australia's sales charts among Chinese brands, though MG still holds top honours
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/gwm-a-guide-to-everything-you-need-to-know
REC-006123—Great Wall Motors Australia—GWM Cannon 2023 | Vehicle Recalls
Cited text: Great Wall Motors Australia · Contact name · GWM Customer Support · Contact phone · 1800 038 100 · Contact email · [email protected] · Contact website · h...
Excerpt: For GWM recalls, you can contact GWM Customer Support on 1800 038 100 or visit their website for dealer locations
https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-006123
REC-006123—Great Wall Motors Australia—GWM Cannon 2023 | Vehicle Recalls
Cited text: For further information, consumers can contact GWM Customer Service Helpline on 1800 038 100 or contact customer service via https://www.gwmanz.com/au...
Excerpt: For GWM recalls, you can contact GWM Customer Support on 1800 038 100 or visit their website for dealer locations
https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-006123
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