NEW DELHI: In the biggest car recall in the country so far, US carmaker Ford is calling back 166,021 units of its best-selling models Figo hatchback and Classic sedan to rectify problems related to steering and rear suspension. Ford India on Friday said it has started preemptive inspection of the rear axle of 131,922 cars for possible defect that may result in unstable ride, handling and braking. It will also replace the power steering hose in an additional 34,099 cars. The recall will impact different batches of Figo and Classic manufactured between January 2010 and June 2012.“Ford India is extending its existing voluntary field service action (FSA) and will recall the remaining batches of Ford Figo and Ford Classic models to inspect them for potential issues related to the rear twist beam (RTB) and the power assisted steering (PAS) hose,” Ford India said in a statement.The company will inspect the rear twist beam of 109,469 Figo and 22,453 Ford Classic produced and sold from January 2011 till June 2012. The cars will not necessarily need part replacements, it said.In the case of the power steering hose, 30,681 Figo and 3,418 Classic produced and sold in India during January 2010-August 2010 and March 2011-November 2011 will be inspected and then replaced. Ford India said it has not received any complaints over the two parts being inspected, and no injuries or accidents related to them have been reported so far.Last year, Ford had recalled over 1.28 lakh Figo and Classic cars to rectify problems related to steering system and rear suspension.This is the eighth major car recall in the country this year, the highest in any single year. In July, Ford's American counterpart General Motors had recalled 114,000 units of its multi utility vehicle Tavera . GM followed it up with recall of 4,000 Sail sedans and U-VA hatchbacks earlier this month.Ford said it is contacting owners of the potentially affected vehicles through notification letters. Customers may also contact their local Ford dealers.Ford will inspect the vehicles for a crack in the rear axle that first results in abnormal noise and if ignored could lead to the beam breaking, diminishing the ride and handling of the cars and rendering them inoperable.In the case of the power steering hose, the problem has been identified as a potential for oil leak, which could result in fumes being emitted from the area. It may also be possible for power steering fluid to come into contact with the vehicle’s exhaust components, creating a potential for smoke and also, in extreme cases, fire in the vehicle.This is the biggest vehicle recall in terms of cars impacted by a technical issue since Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, the apex body of Indian auto industry, initiated a voluntary recall for its members in July last year.