Skoda Slavia, Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun And Virtus Recalled

Skoda-Volkswagen has issued a recall notice for select units of the Kushaq and Slavia, as well as the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus in India. Despite the absence of an official recall announcement on the Skoda-Volkswagen website, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Voluntary Recall Information page has details regarding the same. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has mandated this to be made accessible to the public via SIAM.

This recall applies to just 52 units, manufactured between November 29, 2023, and January 20, 2024. Given its limitet impact, it is likely that Skoda-Volkswagen would reach out individually to the respective customers.

Welding Issue In the Track Control Arm

The recall centers around a potential fault in the welding of the track control arm, a critical suspension component. This should have been caused by improper / quality-compromised production practices at the supplier’s end.

In the case of a compromised welding process, the weld seam might have been missed. This can compromise the vehicle’s stability, manoeuvrability and safety at large, as it could lead to a complete track control arm failure. This can cause the vehicle to lose control and even crash out leading to injuries or casualties.

It is shocking to see such misses/ manufacturing defects from brands like Skoda and Volkswagen. They have always stood as epitomes of high product qualities and production standards. The degree of localisation that has gone into the India 2.0 cars seems to have caused the issue here.

Skoda-VW sources 95% of the core components locally for the Virtus, Slavia, Taigun and Kushaq. In cases of faults/ misses from the vendor/supplier side, the OEM would be more or less helpless in preventing their brand reputation from getting scarred. Stricter quality checks need to be implemented at the OEM end to ensure proper quality and manufacturing standards.

Models Affected by the Recall

The recall affects the four India 2.0 cars: Kushaq, Slavia, Taigun and Virtus. These are all manufactured at Skoda-Volkswagen’s Chakan facility in Pune, as part of the manufacturer’s India 2.0 strategy. Skoda has recalled a total of 14 units while Volkswagen has issued recalls to 38 cars and SUVs, amounting to a total of 52 units.

The recall procedure includes a thorough vehicle inspection and, if needed, a free repair or replacement of the affected component. Though details on the repair timeline have not been made public, given the safety implications, it is possible that Skoda-Volkswagen might prioritize on-site inspections. With the number of affected units being small, the company should be able to conduct repairs efficiently without disruptions.

Safety Legacy And Future Prospects

All four vehicles have received 5-star safety ratings from Global NCAP, underscoring the manufacturer’s commitment to vehicle and passenger safety.

Earlier this year, a Kushaq facelift test vehicle was spotted on Indian roads, and the company could launch the same next year. It is expected to retain its core mechanical attributes, while new features like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and a 360-degree camera, are expected to be introduced. The same set of upgrades will likely be extended to the Volkswagen Taigun, maintaining both vehicles’ competitive edge in the SUV market.

Skoda Volkswagen’s Approach To Recalls

Recalls are increasingly common in the automotive industry, particularly when third-party component suppliers are involved, and automakers are taking stringent steps to uphold high safety standards. The company’s swift response and individualized communication to affected customers reassure owners that their safety remains a top priority.