Maruti Suzuki on Wednesday said it is recalling 17,362 vehicles manufactured between December 8 and January 12 for a defect in the airbag controller, the company said in a release.

The affected models are Alto K10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno and Grand Vitara.

The recall is being undertaken to inspect and replace the airbag controller (“affected part”) free of cost if required in these vehicles.

It is suspected that there is a possible defect in the affected part, which in the rare case might result in non-deployment of the airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners in the event of a vehicle crash, the release added.

Customers are advised not to drive or use the vehicle till the affected part is replaced. Affected vehicle owners will be receiving communication from Maruti Suzuki authorised workshops for immediate attention.

This is the auto maker’s first recall announcement this year, coming days after an increase in vehicle prices across all models.

In December, the company had said it would hike the prices of its vehicles to offset the impact of rising input costs and make provisions to update the model range to conform to stricter emission norms which will kick in from April 2023.

Earlier in October 2022, the auto maker had recalled 9,925 units of the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, the Celerio, and the Ignis models, produced between August 3 and September 1 of the same year. The recall occurred because of a problem with the rear brake assembly pin.

Additionally, 19,731 units of the Maruti Suzuki Eeco MPVs were recalled in April 2022 to correct the labelling of the wheel rim size.

Maruti Suzuki also announced the recall of 9,125 vehicles (manufactured between November 2 and November 28, 2022), including the new Grand Vitara, the Ertiga, the XL6, and the Ciaz in December.