Suzuki Recalls Nearly 70,000 Vehicles for Rearview Mirror Issue
November 2, 2010

2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan

American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) has issued a recall for nearly 70,000 vehicles citing a possible detachment of the vehicles' rearview mirrors, according to reports from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall includes the company's 2007-2010 SX4s (both sedans and hatchbacks)—-a total of 69,587 vehicles.

Company officials say that all of these contain the mirror defect.

"The three screws that secure each of the outside rearview mirrors to the mirror base can come loose due to vibration," writes NHTSA in its recall report. "If a rearview mirror falls off the vehicle, the driver will have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash."

The mirrors in question were manufactured by Tokai Rika Co. Ltd. in Aichi, Japan, according to the report ASMC provided to NHTSA in its October 18 notification. The auto manufacturer first learned of the problem in December 2008, when it received a report from a distributor that a mirror had partially separated from its base due to loose screws, according to the notification, and in May 2009, it received a second report of a detached mirror.

"After investigation, it was determined that the cause of the reported condition was that the supplier had eliminated use of adhesive (thread lock) on the screws that secure the mirror to the mirror base," writes ASMC.

Company officials say dealers will replace the base screws on both outer rearview mirrors free of charge. Suzuki plans to begin contacting owners around November 10.

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