In a move that underscores the importance of vehicle safety, popular car brand Skoda has issued an urgent recall for nearly 4,000 vehicles across Australia

The models in question are the Skoda Superb and Octavia, sold between 2020 and 2024.

The recall has been prompted by a potential brake fault that could lead to a fire, posing a significant risk to drivers, passengers, and other road users.

According to the notice, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted in these vehicles.

Skoda’s Superb and Octavia vehicles have been recalled due to safety issues. Image source: Skoda.

This faulty installation could cause the connection to the brake fluid reservoir to melt, leading to a leak of brake fluid.

The consequences of this fault are severe.

Not only could drivers experience a reduction in braking performance, but the leaking brake fluid could also ignite, causing a vehicle fire.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts has warned that this issue could 'increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users or bystanders and/or damage property'.

You can find the list of affected vehicles here.

Owners were advised to contact their preferred Volkswagen dealership to have their vehicles inspected and the issues rectified, free of charge.

For more information, owners can reach out to Skoda Australia by calling 1800 607 540 or sending them an email at [email protected].

In addition to Skoda, Volkswagen Group Australia has also issued a warning for owners of Cupra Formentor and Leon vehicles built between 2020 and 2022.

These cars could potentially face the same issue, with the risk of reduced braking performance and the possibility of a vehicle fire.

You can read the exact details of the recall here and the list of affected vehicles here.

Cupra Formentor and Leon vehicles were also recalled for the same issue. Image source: Cupra.

Owners of affected Cupra vehicles were also advised to contact their Volkswagen dealership to schedule an appointment.

The necessary repairs will be carried out free of charge.

For more information, owners can reach out to Cupra Australia by calling 1800 879 112 or sending them an email at [email protected].

Key Takeaways

• Thousands of Skoda cars were urgently recalled due to a potential brake fault that could lead to a fire.
• The recall affects Skoda Superb and Octavia models sold between 2020-2024, with the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust possibly incorrectly fitted.
• Volkswagon Group Australia has also warned that Cupra Formentor and Leon vehicles built between 2020 and 2022 might have the same issue.
• Vehicle owners were advised to schedule a free repair at a Volkswagen dealership if affected.

Members, have you ever had a vehicle recalled? What was your experience like? Share your stories in the comments below.

 

[Roh]

What has happened to quality control on the production line? Are these cars being assembled under licence by third party manufacturers? What has happened and continues to happen more often should have been caught by good quality control at the production level! Any other suggestions as to how these faults could be eliminated prior to the new cars hitting the car showroom floor?

 

[VK2LEE]

What has happened to quality control on the production line? Are these cars being assembled under licence by third party manufacturers? What has happened and continues to happen more often should have been caught by good quality control at the production level! Any other suggestions as to how these faults could be eliminated prior to the new cars hitting the car showroom floor?

 

[VK2LEE]

All these vehicles were made by the Volkswagen group of companies.. so all of those parts would possibly have a VW logo on them. All made in the same factory [possibly not a VW factory] . Very odd to hear of a fire from Brake Fluid , and also of a brake reservoir to actually melt... YIKES. Glad i bought a Hyundai Venue Elite.. I also have a 1968 VW Beetle which I know will not burst into flames.. etc.. I also carry 2 fire extinguishers just in case... 68autobug

 

[VK2LEE]

QUALITY CONTROL _ well the brake reservoirs would naturally look the part and indeed have the makers name on them plus part numbers etc. Its what they were made of... too many kinds of plastics these days... plus robots put most of the cars together with some things still added by human hands.. so they would have looked like they were meant to look like that...also Brake fluids are always changing -- trying to stop it from absorbing water.... so maybe its the brake fluid that is disintergrating [or melting] the plastic brake fluid reservoirs.. If Quality Control was a problem these days , then many cars could be faulty with so many electric & electronic parts & computers that it would be impossible to make good reliable cars. Remember that these recalls are for a lot of simple things like changing or adding a bracket or changing where a hose goes. etc... and this one about brake fluid reservoirs melting is maybe just a check of suppliers/makers to see if any are the faulty type - like the faulty airbags... Cars are very complicated nowadays - and virtually everything is connected to a Computer with electronic sensors & many electrical plugs & sockets. My latest Car tells Me that I have 89 days to have it serviced, and it tells Me that every day its turned on. The door locks are all electric, electric steering, [which can annoy you when You drive too close to the side road marked line as it makes a noise] plus the electric steering which can help you steer around corners [so long as there are a white line on the road]. Plus on My Phone I can start the car, wind the windows up or down, lock or unlock the car- plus many other things which I never use. I can lock the differential on the front wheels or change it to other settings, I also have 3 setting for driving - Economy-normal & sports mode.. So if You don't have a late model car You possibly will have a shock when You drive a new car... 68autobug

 

[Veggiepatch]

In the case of Skoda, it's a matter of a former reputable brand being swallowed up by a greedy corporate conglomerate (Volkswagen).

Historically, brands that subject to a takeover are generally considered the poor cousin by the parent company and treated as such.

Saab, the Swedish car maker, was a prime example. Taken over by GM in 2000, Saab was dead in 2016. I bought a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero and soon after the warranty expired, it became a money pit. Same common problem which GM knew about but did nothing with regard to a recall.

Over $11000 in repeated repairs, in 2016, the 9-3 Aero still broke down and ended up a $95000 driveway ornament.