Fiat is to alert 15,000 Grande Punto drivers of the need for modifications to its steering column.

The carmaker insists the move is not a traditional recall, which is carried out when a vehicle is identified to have a fault that could cause an accident.

Drivers will be contacted in writing regarding the need to fit a metal plate to the steering column, designed to spread the load of a knee impact in the event of a serious frontal collision, reducing the risk of knee injury. The work is only required for right-hand drive models manufactured in the first six months of 2006.

A Fiat spokesman said: ‘This does not relate to an active safety issue and the absence of the plate will not cause an accident. The Grande Punto is safe to drive.’

Fiat is waiting for delivery of the plates and he said it will be writing to drivers in the ‘next four to six weeks’ asking them to contact their local dealer for the remedial work to be carried out for free.