MORE than 135,000 Holden cars and utilities will be recalled to fix a potential problem with the power steering.

The recall, the biggest ever in Australia, involves refitting an $8 cooler hose. But it will cost Holden millions of dollars.

The embarrassing incident comes near the end of the life of the current model Commodore, Australia’s best-selling passenger car for all but one month of the past five years.

The problem first came to light in tests by motoring writers.

If the problem occurs, drivers could experience a complete loss of steering assistance with no warning signs. It is caused by a cooler hose rupturing during cornering.

The recall will affect all VY Series 1 Commodores, including Calais and Crewman one-tonne and utility models, built between August 26, 2002 and September 2, 2003, and Statesman and Caprice models built between March 20, 2003 and September 2, 2003.

It affects 115,000 V8 and V6 cars sold in Australia, 11,000 V8s exported to the Middle East and 8500 V8 and V6 vehicles shipped to New Zealand.