Suzuki recalls 430,000 vans in Japan over air-con fire risk

(AFP PHOTO/Roberto Schmidt)

Suzuki Motor said on Thursday it was recalling more than 430,000 Suzuki and Mazda brand small vans in Japan to fix defective air conditioning units that could catch fire.

"We sincerely apologise to users for causing inconvenience," Suzuki said in a statement on the recall that covers 2005 to 2009 models of its "Every" van and the "Mazda Scrum", which Suzuki built for the partner company.

Suzuki said in its recall filing with the transport ministry that it had received 85 complaints, including two cases of fire, caused by the defect, which it linked to electrical damage caused by rainwater intrusion.

The recall comes at a sensitive time for Japan's auto sector as industry leader Toyota Motor is recalling more than eight million vehicles worldwide for defects linked with dozens of deaths in the United States.

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