The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a recall on Mazda and Nissan SUVs being sold nationwide, warning the faulty vehicles could increase the risk of accident, injury or death.

A total of 14,460 Nissan Pathfinders and 2668 Mazda CX-30 Astinas are affected by the recall, due to a pair of dangerous defects.

The Nissan recall applies to the 2014-2015 models R52 Pathfinders sold between September 2013 and January 2017. While the Mazda recall applies to the 2020 model CX-30 (DM) Astinas sold between January 2020 and February 2021.

The ACCC said the Nissan Pathfinder defect means the stop lamp relay may stick in the ‘ON’ position, which could result in the brake lights staying illuminated even if the brakes aren’t being applied. The ACCC says it could also result in a loss of engine power or the inability to shift the vehicle out of park or start the engine without depressing the brake pedal. “This increases the risk of an accident and injury or death to vehicle occupants or other road users,” the ACCC said.

The Mazda defect affects the boot’s power liftgate, meaning the boot may shut unexpectedly when the vehicle is parked facing uphill on a slope in high ambient temperature. The ACCC said the defect may increase the risk of injury if the lifegate was to lower onto a person while they were accessing the boot.

Both Mazda and Nissan will be in contact with affected customers, with Mazda saying they will be advising customers to present their vehicle to an authorised dealer for a free-of-charge inspection and repair once parts are available in May 2021.

Nissan consumers are advised to contact their Nissan dealer to organise an inspection and, if necessary, re-positioning of the stop lamp switch and replacement of the stop lamp relay, at no cost.