Isuzu Utes New Zealand has confirmed that it is looking into a class action lawsuit investigation being undertaken in Australia regarding structural issues within vehicle engine-bays and faulty diesel particulate filters (DPFs).
“We are aware of the news reports in Australia regarding Isuzu D-Max and MU-X structural failures and faulty diesel filters,” said the brief statement issued by an Isuzu Ute New Zealand spokesperson to AutoTalk.
“We are currently doing an internal review as to whether this is also of concern to Isuzu Utes vehicles in NZ.”
The Australian investigation is being led by Bannister Law Class Actions. The group says it is currently investigating the cracking of inner guards or any other parts within an engine bay; and the second concerns issues with the vehicle’s Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
According to Bannister Law Class Actions, some of the owners of Isuzu D-Max and Mu-X claim that the front inner guards were cracked without being used excessively or within only a few years after the purchase.
It says the cracking issue might be recurring after the crack has been fixed once. Cracks may show up within an engine bay other than inner guards such as near a VIN plate or suspension towers.
AutoTalk asked Isuzu Ute New Zealand whether it knew of any local vehicles with the issues, but the company did not address the question in its brief response statement.
Motoring news website Drive has reported that it understands more than 100 Isuzu vehicles in Australia are affected by the cracking issue. It believes more than 90,000 vehicles sold from 2017 to 2019 are the focus of the class action investigation.
“We have received a report that the repair of the cracks on the inner guard cost $9,722,” Bannister Law Class Actions says.
Furthermore, it says that DPF issues can be seen in several vehicle makes and models of diesel cars.
“We have also received a reports that the DPF of Isuzu D-Max not working properly and needed to be replaced and that the replacement of the DPF cost $ 8,770,” Bannister Law Class Actions says.
According to Drive, Bannister Law principal Charles Bannister told it that defective particulate filters are a concern for owners and the environment.
“Consumers have statutory guarantees that products should be fit for their purpose, of merchantable quality and safe,” Bannister says.
“Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) that aren’t working correctly can cause other components to fail prematurely and have the potential to increase fuel consumption and engine damage,” he says.
