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The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Three major vehicle recalls affect thousands of SA drivers
The National Consumer Commission has raised concerns over the growing number of vehicle recalls in South Africa. The VW Taigo model is being recalled. Picture: iStock The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced three significant vehicle recalls affecting thousands of South African motorists, with safety defects identified in Volkswagen Golf models, Volvo XC90 hybrids, and Hino 500 commercial vehicles. NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu has urged affected consumers to contact their nearest approved dealership immediately for a vehicle inspection at no cost. This follows notifications from Volkswagen of South Africa, Volvo Cars South Africa, and Toyota South Africa Motors. Volkswagen Golf models face seat belt defect Volkswagen of South Africa is recalling 159 Golf 8 vehicles, including both the R and GTI models, sold between 16 April and 30 June 2025. 'These vehicles are being recalled due to a defect in the front passenger seat belt,' according to NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba. The company has identified a manufacturing fault where the front passenger seatbelt may not be properly secured to its lower anchoring point due to errors in the sewing process. Volkswagen South Africa warned that improper attachment of the belt system's lower anchoring point significantly reduces the seatbelt's protective function. The NCC highlighted the dangers of this defect. It noted that in an accident scenario, the malfunction could result in serious or fatal injuries to occupants of the front passenger seat. ALSO READ: Volkswagen recalls Polo and Taigo models bought in 2022 and 2024 Volvo XC90 hybrid braking system malfunction Volvo South Africa also notified the commission about recalling 26 XC90 plug-in hybrid vehicles from the 2025-26 model years due to a potentially dangerous braking system failure. 'The vehicle's braking functionality may be temporarily disabled while using 'B' mode (in plug-in hybrid cars) or One Pedal Drive (in pure electric cars), after coasting downhill for a period,' Ntaba explained. This malfunction occurs specifically when drivers use regenerative braking modes after extended downhill driving. The failure of the braking system poses significant collision risks, with potentially serious safety consequences for vehicle occupants and other road users. ALSO READ: Ford is recalling 2024 Rangers in Southern Africa: Here's why Toyota South Africa has recalled 6 662 Hino 500 SKD series vehicles and 77 Hino 500 CBU series vehicles due to problems with parking brake release mechanisms. The affected SKD series vehicles were manufactured between 11 May 2017 and 14 December 2023, while the CBU series vehicles were produced from 31 May 2018 to 25 December 2024, according to Ntaba. The recall stems from supplier errors where Hino 500 SKD vehicles received incorrect cage bolt spanners, while the CBU series vehicles were delivered without the essential tool entirely. Although the parking brake continues to function during vehicle operation, drivers cannot release the parking brake without the correct tool. ALSO READ: Chevrolet cars and Honda motorcycles are being recalled: Here is the list Rising concern over vehicle safety standards The NCC has expressed concern about the increasing frequency of vehicle recalls in South Africa. 'The NCC has noted the recent rise of recalls of motor vehicles or related components of such motor vehicles and is engaging affected suppliers for further information to determine the required steps to address this,' acting commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu stated in a statement on Tuesday. The commission is actively working with suppliers to understand the underlying causes of these safety defects and implement measures to prevent future incidents. Ratshisusu emphasised the urgency of the situation, advising that 'consumers with affected vehicles are urged to urgently book their vehicles with their nearest approved dealerships for a thorough vehicle check, at no cost.' All three recalls offer free inspections and repairs through authorised dealership networks, with manufacturers covering all costs associated with rectifying the identified defects. READ NEXT: WATCH: Local docuseries captures South Africa's love affair with the VW Golf
The South African
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
142 VW Polos recalled over airbag hazard, warns NCC
After discovering a potentially deadly airbag fault, Volkswagen South Africa has recalled 150 vehicles, 142 VW Polos and 8 VW Taigo models. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued the alert on Thursday, warning drivers of a critical defect in the gas generator of the front passenger airbag. 'In the event of an accident with deployment of the front airbag, there may be a reduced protective effect by the front passenger airbag and an increased risk of injury to the passenger,' the NCC stated. Furthemore, the issue lies in a component of the gas generator housing, which could burst or break apart during an accident, posing a serious risk to passengers. Volkswagen confirmed the affected vehicles include Polos sold from 20 December 2022 and Taigos made available for sale from 29 January 2024. Both the NCC and Volkswagen have urged affected owners to stop using the front passenger seat immediately. 'Affected consumers are advised to deactivate the front passenger airbag, refrain from using the front passenger seat, submit their vehicle to any VWSA-approved dealer for a check and, if necessary, replace the affected components,' the NCC said. Moreover, the automaker has pledged to fix the defect at no cost to the vehicle owner and has begun notifying affected customers. The recall comes amid global concerns over airbag-related injuries. The NCC's warning stresses the seriousness of the fault. 'The gas generator housing may come loose and cause serious or deadly injuries to vehicle occupants,' the statement reads. Customers have been encouraged to check their vehicle status via Volkswagen's recall database or to contact their nearest dealer for assistance. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
