In the first half of 2010, no one word has had a more profound effect on the auto industry as the word 'recall'. Just about every automaker on the planet has had an encounter with it one way or the other and, as it turns out, it's Suzuki->ke87's turn.

The Japanese automaker is in the process of recalling 46,549 units of its 2006 Grand Vitara and 2005-2006 models of the XL-7->ke1306 SUVs because of a defective hydraulic power assist steering pump that could lead to serious trouble for owners of the aforementioned models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the warning after finding out that the plastic tension adjuster pulley found in these models could deteriorate over time leading to pieces of the pulley breaking off and dislodging the steering belt, which would then make it extremely difficult for the SUVs to steer.

So if you have any of these two models, you can have them fixed at your nearest Suzuki dealer where they will replace the steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley - that's a long name for a car part - free of charge.

Press Release after the jump

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

SUZUKI / GRAND VITARA 2006

SUZUKI / XL-7 2005-2006

Manufacturer: AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. Mfr's Report Date: JUN 07, 2010

Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

Potential Number of Units Affected: 46549

Summary:

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR 2006 GRAND VITARA AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 XL-7 VEHICLES. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR (IF EQUIPPED) HAS AN OUTER PORTION THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. REPEATED HEAT STRESS CAN CAUSE THE PLASTIC MATERIAL TO DETERIORATE AND PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN BREAK OFF.

Consequence:

BROKEN PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE DRIVE BELT, CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF AND RESULTING IN THE DRIVER NEEDING INCREASED EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 25, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Notes:

SUZUKI SAFETY RECALL NO. SB. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .