Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday said it will recall 1,492 vehicles to fix defects in the steering column.

The company found the defects in various models manufactured between October 19 and 26. Defects were found in 306 units of the Ertiga, 592 of the Swift, 581 of the Swift Dzire, and 13 A-Stars.

“If the steering column is found defective, the company will replace it free of cost,” the company said in a statement.

Maruti said that the exercise is limited to these vehicles and does not pertain to any other vehicle or any exports.

“Maruti Suzuki dealers will contact owners of all vehicles in the above range,” the company said adding that the new steering column has been despatched to dealer workshops.

Users of Maruti Suzuki cars (Ertiga, Swift, Dzire and A-Star) purchased after October 19 can check the company’s website to ascertain if their car is among the recalled vehicles, it said. This is not the first time Maruti has called back its vehicles.

In April 2011, it recalled 13,157 units of diesel versions of the Dzire, the Swift and the Ritz to check an engine part.

In February 2010, it had recalled about 100,000 units of its flagship export model, A-Star, to replace a faulty fuel-pump part.

On Wednesday, Maruti Suzuki shares fell 0.72 per cent to Rs 1,651 on the Bombay Stock Exchange after the company issued its statement.

Companies such as Sona Koyo Steering Systems, Bosch India and Rane NSK are the major suppliers of steering parts to Maruti.

Speaking to Business Line, Surinder Kapur, Chairman and Managing Director of Sona Koyo Steering Systems, said: “It is not Sona’s column.”

There has been a spate of recalls of late, with the largest being General Motors’ recall of 114,000 units of its Tavera MUV in July and Ford India’s recall of 166,000 units of the Figo hatchback and the Classic sedan in September.

>ronendrasingh.s@thehindu.co.in

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