Bent Jack - warranty issue?

[Maverick]

If the ACCC recalls department get numerous reports of an item that fails with the possibility of injury or death they will eventually investigate.

No they won't, it's not the ACCC's role. And how does a jack failing lead to injury or death? Unless someone is stupid enough to use the jack outside it's operating parameters (uneven soft ground and not located correctly on the car) and stick their head under the car in such a position that it would be crushed like a watermelon there is no way death can occur (nor injury for that matter).

Not accidental issues but if the jack shaft broke and its not an isolated case. I don't know what the trigger point of failures it takes to start an investigation.

How many broke exactly? How many are out there (this jack is used across the whole VAG empire including all levels of cars)? And what is the result of a jack failing when used for the manner it's supposed to be used (hint the answer is possibly some vehicle damage)?

Answer A is a very small number, Answer B is a stupidly large number and Answer C is ZERO.

As for Volkswagen, if there getting numerous reports of jack failures, they should initiate there own investigation, before they're forced by a department like the ACCC.
Macdoc

The ACCC can't force them to perform an investigation and there is nothing to investigate. The jack is fit for purpose and that purpose is use to change the wheel in an emergency.

[MultiplexMan]

Role of regulators

Please read and know the law before commenting.

Enforcing regulations
Regulators respond to breaches of product safety bans and standards through a range of enforcement tools, including civil and criminal legal action and monetary penalties. View Penalties and consequences for more information.

Recalls occur when there is feedback - typically from the consumer, ideally to the manufacturer who ideally investigates and addresses the feedback. When the manufacturer does not, luckily we have regulations and regulators like the ACCC.

If you doubt the consequences of inactivity, denial or arrogance - study Toyota, Johnson & Johnson, or even our beloved VW...

1972 VW America 3.7 million vehicles recalled due to faulty windshield wipers.
When it’s raining or snowing, you need functional windshield wipers. When you’re going down the road and you find a bug smashed into your windshield, you need your windshield wipers then as well. Yet, in 1972, 3.7 million Volkswagen vehicles had windshield wipers that were nothing less than useless. The arms of the wipers from cars built in 1949 up to 1969 would become loose, which would cause them to not work properly, and eventually they would fall off.

A - enough for a recall
B - 3.7 million
C - potential fatality

[Transporter]

Gee, 1972 ha, ... allow few more years and we would be talking about a half of the century ago.

I'm sure the jack I have in our cars is capable jacking up a car and swap the tyre if the car would be on leveled road. However, if the car could only be stopped on the incline when you get a puncture, then it could be a bit risky and you have to make a decision whether you have enough skills and whether the jack's position allows tyre to be replaced safely.





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[MultiplexMan]

Gee, 1972 ha, ... allow few more years and we would be talking about a half of the century ago.

Transporter - I so wish that was the case...

NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V470000

December 18, 2006
Volkswagen of America Inc. reports that 62,000 Passat sedans and wagons from the 2006 and 2007 model years in the U.S. and Canada will be recalled because of potential problems with wiper motors and braking in cold weather. Worldwide, Volkswagen is recalling 300,000 of its Passat sedans.

[MultiplexMan]

Car Jacks

And to those who may think OEM jack failure is so unlikely...another European car manufacturer often quoted for its safety. Recalled in Australia by the ACCC no less!

Volvo

Volvo—3850 MY95 Jack
PRA number: 1995/2444
Date created: 18th April 1995
What are the hazards? Component Failure.
What are the defects? Material Fault In The Thrust Bearing Washer To The Screw May Cause Cracks And Result In Broken Car Jack.
Where the product was sold National
Supplier Volvo Car Australia Pty Ltd

[MultiplexMan]

UK Recalls

A quick check of the UK Vehicle and Operators Services Agency lists:

Volvo 1995 (2 entries - for the estate and saloon)
Recall Details for VOLVO CAR - 850

Proton 2007
Recall Details for PROTON - GEN-2 & SATRIA NEO

[Maverick]

And to those who may think OEM jack failure is so unlikely...another European car manufacturer often quoted for its safety. Recalled in Australia by the ACCC no less!

Volvo

Volvo—3850 MY95 Jack
PRA number: 1995/2444
Date created: 18th April 1995
What are the hazards? Component Failure.
What are the defects? Material Fault In The Thrust Bearing Washer To The Screw May Cause Cracks And Result In Broken Car Jack.
Where the product was sold National
Supplier Volvo Car Australia Pty Ltd

Actually the recall was initiated by Volvo and it was for a specific model for one model year and it was 16 years ago. The VW jack is sold in nearly every VW group car and has remained the same design for many many years.

Also note the hazards, component failure. No mention of injury or death.

A search of recalls for car jacks shows up very few and it was generally to do with labeling (additional labels required) or updating the owners manual.

Proton Motor Vehicles—Vehicle Jacks
PRA number: 2003/6199
Date created: 20th May 2003
Product information
Product description
Vehicle Jacks provided with all Proton motor vehicle models supplied in Australia between April 1995 and November 2002.
What are the hazards?
Labelling.
What are the defects?
The jack supplied does not comply with the labelling and safe usage instruction requirements of Clause 7 of the vehicle jack safety standard.

BMW—Vehicle Jacks
PRA number: 2003/6189
Date created: 15th May 2003
Product information
Product description
BMW Vehicle Jacks purchased as replacement parts from authorised BMW Dealers.
What are the defects?
BMW Vehicle Jacks that have been purchased as replacement parts from authorised BMW Dealers have not been supplied with the required safe usage and maintenance instructions and that, as a result, safe use of the jacks may be compromised.

BMW—7 Series Vehicles
PRA number: 2003/6064
Date created: 25th March 2003
Product information
Product description
7 Series E65 & E66 models. Campaign 0071 15 01 00.
What are the defects?
The jacks are not labelled in accordance with the mandatory standard. The safety warning label on the vehicle's jack uses a pictogram only and does not include specific wording regarding its safe operation.

Daewoo—Passenger Vehicles—Vehicle jacks
PRA number: 2003/5957
Date created: 3rd February 2003
Product information
Product description
This recall applies to vehicle jacks provided with all of the following models of Daewoo Cars supplied in Australia from 1997 to November 2002: Nubira, Matiz, Tacuma, Lanos and Leganza.
What are the hazards?
Labelling.
What are the defects?
The warning labels on jacks supplied with these vehicles do not comply with the requirement of the vehicle jack safety standard AS/NZ 2693:1993 - Vehicle Jacks.

Audi—Jacks supplied with new vehicles since 1992
PRA number: 2002/5569
Date created: 15th August 2002
Product information
Product description
This recall relates to an incorrect label wording issue and as such the campaign only concerns the labels affixed to the jacks, as well as the vehicle Owner's Manual and does not affect the jacks themselves.
What are the hazards?
Labelling
What are the defects?
Labels provided on lever type jacks, as well as relevant Owner's Manual Instructions supplied in new model Audi vehicles in Australia since 1992, did not fully comply with the labelling requirements of the mandatory Australian Standard AS/NZS:2693/1993.

Hyundai—Pantograph Jacks
PRA number: 2001/5029
Date created: 26th October 2001
Product information
Product description
Pantograph jacks supplied with Hyundai vehicles in Australia between the years 1992 to 1998.
What are the hazards?
Labelling.
What are the defects?
Labels supplied on vehicle pantograph jacks between the years 1992 to 1998 did not fully comply with the labelling requirements of the Australian Standards (AS/NZS 2693: 1993 Vehicle Jacks).

Holden—Jacks Supplied with SB Barina & YE Calibra Non-turbo
PRA number: 1995/2380
Date created: 17th February 1995
Product information
Product description
SB Barina From Yoo1593 to Yo12636 & YE Calibra From Yoo0001 To Y008840.
What are the hazards?
Component Failure.
What are the defects?
Jacks Supplied With Cars Breach The Consumer Product Safety Standard Based On As2693.

Holden—Calibra 4 X 4 Turbo
PRA number: 1995/2361
Date created: 1st February 1995
Product information
Product description
Imported During The Period March And October 1994. Production Serial Number Within The Range Y003451 To Y008833.
What are the hazards?
Labelling.
What are the defects?
The Supplied Jack Does Not Conform To The Relevant Standard As2693, Is Difficult To Use And Usage Instructions Are Inadequate.

E. Kandt—Niki Cars—Vehicle Owners Manual
PRA number: 1991/1353
Date created: 12th August 1991
Product information
Product description
What are the hazards?
Other.
What are the defects?
Information Concerning Seat Belt Operation, Emission Control, Tyre Selection And Vehicle Jack Use Omitted.

[MultiplexMan]

I only quoted failures pertinent to the OP. But thanks for the label references...

Recalls are only initiated by the regulator when the manufacturer fails to act. Volvo addressed the issue before being forced. The manufacturer will not list death as a likely outcome unless forced. Even brake component recalls state "brake failure" or "failure to stop" as likely outcomes.

OP - I would still have the original jack inspected as it may contain a substandard component. The design may not have changed but the part supplier may have an out of specification threaded section (low grade steel, corrosion cracking during plating, etc). Batch testing does not capture all defects. I would rather assist a manufacturer but the manufacturer must be part of the process.

Manufacturers only find out about these things when customers bring it to their attention. It is why all the materials in over six pages of defects (and parts replacement) on my T5 were collected by VW for further inspection by the factory. It is an important part of QA/QC of any competent manufacturer. I recommend the OP contact VWA. VWA hopefully will have a "big picture" perspective compared to the local dealer.

[Transporter]

I see some of us got a bit carried away by bent jack.
I thought I would be scrolling the page down for ever on my phone.
I thing I'm going to compare the jacks in our 4 cars, if there is any difference in strength between them. Mainly Tiguan and Golf.

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[brad]

Actually the recall was initiated by Volvo and it was for a specific model for one model year and it was 16 years ago. The VW jack is sold in nearly every VW group car and has remained the same design for many many years.

Also note the hazards, component failure. No mention of injury or death.

Component failure is the hazard but it isn't the possible outcome. I would think the likelihood of a jack failure would be Unlikely (could happen but rarely) but the outcome of jack failure could be serious injury (crush injury to the hands or fingers between the tyre & the bodywork) and also minor damage to the asset. Plot that on a risk matrix & you get a risk rating of 3 which is Major & really should have some controls put in place. This doesn't necessarily mean a recall is needed but what are your other options? (ie the injury to personnel bumps it to 3 - if it's just asset damage it's a 4 (medium) and therefore not as critical.

hierarchy of controls in order of preference:

Eliminate - eliminate the process. Fit RFTs, don't supply a jack & have a road service provider or workshop carry out any wheel removal operations?

Substitute - Provide a better lifting device?

Isolate - restrict access to the equipment (to suitably qualified or trained personnel)?

Engineering - provide a better way of lifting the vehicle?

Administration - better training for people using the equipment? Send everyone that drives a VAG to a training course for a process they might never need/use?

Personal Protective Equipment - maybe some sturdy gloves to hold your mashed fingers in place until the micro-surgeon arrives?

[Transporter]

Maybe additional warning label on the jack and the spare tyre, something like: For your own safety DO NOT try to replace flat tyre, if you have any doubts that you can (know how to) do it! If you're not sure go to page 123 of your owner's manual that is located in the glove box compartment.

Owner's Manual:
page 123.... CALL ROAD SERVICE, do NOT touch anything!

Now seriously, I thing that the majority of the work-related accidents are due to human error.

I'm not saying to Poyta that he didn't know how to change his tyre, anything is possible and he might have a faulty jack, but let VW to look at it and see what their response will be.

[Maverick]

Component failure is the hazard but it isn't the possible outcome. I would think the likelihood of a jack failure would be Unlikely (could happen but rarely) but the outcome of jack failure could be serious injury (crush injury to the hands or fingers between the tyre & the bodywork) and also minor damage to the asset. Plot that on a risk matrix & you get a risk rating of 3 which is Major & really should have some controls put in place. This doesn't necessarily mean a recall is needed but what are your other options? (ie the injury to personnel bumps it to 3 - if it's just asset damage it's a 4 (medium) and therefore not as critical.

When they release a recall they put both in that same field "hazard".

For example:

Land Rover—Discovery 3
PRA number: 2005/8129
Date created: 26th October 2005
Product information
Product description
MY2005 and MY2006 that are fitted with coil spring suspension.
What are the hazards?
Physical injury
What are the defects?
Some vehicles are fitted with an incorrect scissor style jack.

If the jack is used as per the instructions and using common sense ie constant checking of the jack when working on the wheel, not putting any part of the body under the car or in the wheel area except to lift the wheel off (the tommy bolt assists here by allowing you to keep your hands down low on the tyre - out of the way of the road and the bodywork if it comes crashing down) and putting the spare wheel under the car whilst removing and fitting I doubt anyone would suffer any injuries if the jack did collapse.

Personally I would only use that jack for emergency changes, I've used mine once and had no trouble with using it. But there are plenty of stupid people out there willing to trust their life to a cheap jack designed for infrequent use - example

VW GTI MKVI Forum / VW Golf MKVI Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW GTI Forum - Golfmk6.com - View Single Post - ***DIY*** Installing the Forge Blow Off Adapter

"wonder if i can work with standard jack that came with the car,
instead of floor jack or jack stand..."

This is in reference to jacking the car and crawling underneath to remove the DV from the rear of the engine.

The next post hopefully put him straight with this

[brad]

Now seriously, I thing that majority of the work related accidents are due to the human errors.

Yes & no. Lots of dodgy things happen out there & many have nothing to do with the poor sod that got hurt. The hierarchy of controls addresses non-human factors first - you basically have to look afer the lowest common denominator.

I have a bit of a background in this stuff - infact, when I took my current job I had a choice between this & being a WorkCover Inspector. WorkCover lost out because they couldn't tell me where I'd be based once the induction period was finished.

[brad]

If the jack is used as per the instructions and using common sense ie constant checking of the jack when working on the wheel, not putting any part of the body under the car or in the wheel area except to lift the wheel off (the tommy bolt assists here by allowing you to keep your hands down low on the tyre - out of the way of the road and the bodywork if it comes crashing down) and putting the spare wheel under the car whilst removing and fitting I doubt anyone would suffer any injuries if the jack did collapse.

All those things you mentioned are simply precautions to reduce the risk. Keep in mind that (IIRC) you are an ex-tradie & therefore probably carry out a mental risk assesment everytime you do something like change a tyre. It becomes second nature for many because you are trained to do so. Unfortunately, not everyone has the mindset to do this & they are the people that get injured. IMO, nobody actually deserves to be injured, so you have to cater for those that don't think in a risk-reducing manner.

[Transporter]

IMO, nobody actually deserves to be injured, so you have to cater for those that don't think in a risk-reducing manner.

Hence my additional label in 4 posts above.