Hyundai, Holden's New Zealand recall

Hyundai ix35

Hyundai has recalled nearly 7000 ix35 SUVs in New Zealand and Australia to deal with a seatbelt issue.

The vehicles to be recalled were produced from August 23, 2011 to 24 February, 2012, with 461 affected in New Zealand though "more than 25 per cent" have already been fixed, says Hyundai NZ.

The tensioning cable in the pretensioner is not securely crimped and in an accident the cable may become unleashed.

"It is important to note that the pretensioner is a supplementary device to the seatbelt and the traditional seatbelt operation is not compromised," a Hyundai NZ spokesman said.

Holden Barina Spark.

Holden's Barina Spark hatchback has also been recalled in New Zealand and Australia after one of the mounts that supports the five-speed manual gearbox "on a small number of these vehicles" could break.

In Australia 102 of the Korean-made cars have been affected while just two vehicles in New Zealand are being recalled.

"Over time, the transmission mount could potentially develop a fracture and the transmission would then become unsupported," the notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website said.

The car-maker is sending letters out to customers who may be affected by the recall.