Brake Failures Force Suzuki Global Recall

Suzuki U.K. is recalling its newly released Celerio small car after total brake failures during testing of the £8,000 ($12,178) car by two motoring magazines.

Sales in the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have been halted and owners told not to drive the 5-door hatchback.

The cars were made at Suzuki's Rayong, Thailand, plant.

Suzuki Australia Automobiles General Manager Andrew Moore says in a statement Celerio sales had not begun in his market yet, and “in light of the recent issues in the U.K.,” Suzuki Australia has postponed the launch indefinitely.

“Suzuki Australia places safety as a top priority and will not begin selling Celerio in Australia until we are comfortable any possible issues are rectified,” he says.

Ironically, on the day the Australian safety-related sales halt was announced, the ANCAP safety rating group said it was giving the Celerio four stars because it does not have the requisite number of safety-assist technologies to perform a pole test need to achieve a 5-star rating.

Suzuki U.K. says the condition was experienced during several high-speed emergency braking tests performed at a private test facility by What Car? and Autocar UK magazines.

What Car? reports two Celerios suffered total brake failure during 80-mph (128-km/h) deceleration tests at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedford.

“During the first full-force braking test all stopping power was immediately lost upon application of the brakes,” the magazine says.

“The brake pedal became stuck in the fully depressed position and had no effect on the Suzuki's speed. No braking effort could be exerted by forcing the pedal up and reapplying it.”

The reporters used the handbrake and moved down through the gears to bring the cars to a stop.

Euro NCAP awarded the Celerio a below-par three stars last year.

The British Broadcasting Corp. reports the Celerio, aimed at the growing market for low-cost city cars, went on sale in the U.K. on Feb. 1 and it is thought that about 100 are on the road.

Suzuki says after a “condition experienced when carrying out an emergency braking test” by a journalist from Autocar magazine, it carried out an immediate investigation into the cause of this condition.

“As a direct result of this investigation and with immediate effect, Suzuki is recalling its U.K. Celerio models,” it says in a statement.

“This safety recall relates to retraction of the brake pedal and affects right-hand-drive vehicles for the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It does not affect left-hand-drive vehicles or other right-hand-drive markets.”