Suzuki recalls record 2 mln cars for smoking ignition switch

Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp said it would recall 2 million cars, a record for the automaker, including the WagonR and Swift models to replace the ignition switch after reports of fumes being emitted from the faulty component.

The action expands a recall for 168,000 cars that was issued on March 31 for the same defect after reports of burning or smoking ignition switches on 30 vehicles in Japan, 18 of which were police cars.

Subject to the latest recall are 1,873,000 cars across nine models in Japan. These include the Chevrolet Cruze it builds for General Motors Co, the AZ-Wagon and Carol models sold under Mazda Motor Corp's brand, and Suzuki's Alto, WagonR and Swift models built between 1998 and 2009.

There were 67 reports of smoking ignition switches, Suzuki said in a filing with Japan's transport ministry.

The recall also covers 133,700 Swift, Alto, Chevy Cruze and other models in overseas markets such as Australia and Europe, a Suzuki spokesman said.

No one has been injured from the defect and there have been no reports of smoking or burning ignition switches outside Japan, the spokesman said.

Suzuki declined to disclose the estimated financial impact of the recall.

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