CAR ADVICE

The latest fault could cause the Trailer Module to lose communication with the vehicle, according to the recall notice. Ford Australia has recalled 6832 examples of its 2021-2026 F-150 pick-ups, citing a potential fault with the Trailer Module (TRM). This is the ninth time the F-150 has been recalled by Ford Australia since launching the model in 2023, which is a right-hand-drive remanufactured model produced in conjunction with RMA Automotive . The recall notice , lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: “Due to a software defect, the Trailer Module (TRM) may lose communication with the vehicle when a trailer is connected. This can result in a loss of trailer braking performance and the turn signal lights not operating as intended. “A loss of trailer control whilst driving and/or signal lights not operating as intended, may increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users....

The new boss of Honda Australia says harmonising ADRs with leading markets is not going to happen, because no-one can agree which rules are best. Australia’s national road rules for safety and emissions will never fully be harmonised with international standards, because the countries involved “won’t compromise”, the new boss of Honda claims. Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are our national standards for road vehicle safety, anti-theft measures, and emissions that apply to all new and used vehicles entering the Australian market for the first time.  In late 2024, a review into whether ADRs should be harmonised with international vehicle standards was launched, the results of which have yet to be published. MORE: Australian motor-vehicle design rules to come under government review after car maker criticism Big brands, such as Nissan and Mitsubishi, have led the way in calling for our standards to be changed to align with those of Europe and Japan. ...

A 2.4-litre turbocharged engine fits under the bonnet of the new Toyota RAV4, an engineer has revealed, so if customers want it, a GR RAV4 could come to fruition. A turbocharged, high-performance GR version of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 could become a reality, if potential customers shout loud enough. Chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane told Drive that the new 227kW RAV4 GR Sport, the most powerful iteration in the nameplate’s history, is already “powerful enough” and “very fast”. However, he said the barriers standing in the way of a full-blooded GR RAV4 are linked to Toyota management’s awareness of customer demand for a Volkswagen Tiguan R competitor, rather than a technical limitation. “We could actually fit a 2.4-litre turbo in that engine compartment,” Futonagane-san revealed via an interpreter. MORE: Toyota RAV4 EV is possible, but don’t hold your breath for bZ4X showroom-mate “There are no official ...

Kia Australia has axed two diesel Carnival grades, and the Picanto GT-Line manual, citing low customer uptake. Kia Australia has swung an axe at some versions of its popular Carnival and Picanto models, citing low customer uptake for the deleted grades. Sport and GT-Line Lite diesel-only grades have been deleted from the 2027 Kia Carnival range, leaving S, Sport+ and GT-Line versions across diesel and hybrid. The latest change is further reduction of the Carnival line-up in Australia, after its long-running petrol V6 engine was axed at the start of this year, to help Kia align with Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) . Meanwhile, the Picanto GT-Line hatchback will not be offered with a manual transmission for Model Year 2027 (MY27), now available in automatic only. MORE: Kia Sportage non-hybrid petrol and entry diesel grades ‘under review’ in Australia The entry-level Picanto Sport continues to offer a five-speed manual or four...

While the rush of Chinese brands onto the Australian market are, unsurprisingly, mostly Chinese-sourced, some more traditional brands have also turned to China as a production hub. While it comes as no surprise that the overwhelming majority of Chinese brands source their cars from China, you may not know that established brands are also bringing Chinese-built cars into the country. The following is a list of cars you may not know as Chinese, despite being manufactured there. Cupra Tavascan Cupra is a Spanish brand, owned by Germany’s Volkswagen , but the electric Tavascan SUV arrives here from China. A partnership between Volkswagen and JAC Motors is responsible for the Volkswagen Anhui factory in Hefai, where the Tavascan is built. MORE: 2025 Cupra Tavascan price and specs – electric family SUV cheaper than a Tesla Model Y in Australia Hyundai Elexio While South Korean company, Hyundai , sources most of its production from South Kor...

A potential error in the digital owner’s manual of the 2024-2025 Ford Transit Custom has been found, but the fix is easy. Ford Australia has recalled 2246 examples of its 2024-2025 Ford Transit Custom van, citing a potential fault with the digital owner’s manual. The recall notice , lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: “The vehicle’s digital owner’s manual may contain incorrect information regarding the location of the child seat anchor point, airbags, seatbelts, and emergency assistance information. “As a result, the user may not be able to locate the appropriate anchor point for attaching the child seat, seatbelts, and other information.” Ford says: “There is no safety hazard, and the defect will not affect the performance of the vehicle. “The affected vehicles do not comply with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 34/02 – Child Restraint Anchorages and Child Restraint ...