By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Consumer Commission announced a recall of Ford Mustang, Ford Transit Custom, BMW X3 (G45) series, VW Polo and Hino 500 series buses due to safety concerns.
In a statement, the NCC said: “The National Consumer Commission (NCC) notifies the affected consumers about the recalls for Ford Mustang, Ford Transit Custom, BMW X3 (G45) vehicles, and Hino 500 Series buses as notified by the suppliers.”
According to the NCC, the affected vehicles are as follows:
- Ford Mustang (2021-2022 models): Recalled due to a low-pressure fuel pump failure that can cause the engine to stall while driving, significantly increasing the risk of an accident.
- Ford Transit Custom (2024-2025 models): The passenger’s airbag on these vehicles has a defective filter, which could block gas flow and prevent proper deployment in the event of a collision.
- BMW X3 (G45 Series): A manufacturing defect with the two outer rear head restraints means they may not provide adequate protection during an accident, potentially causing serious injury.
- Volkswagen Polo (19-23 May 2025 models): The rear axle of these vehicles was not bolted to the body with the correct torque, which could lead to its complete detachment and a loss of vehicle control while driving.
- Hino 500 Series Buses (5 July 2018 – 12 August 2025 models): These buses may have been manufactured with a drag link that was not torqued correctly, and in some cases, missing split pins, which could result in a critical loss of steering control while the bus is in motion.
Vehicle owners are being urged to take their cars and buses to the nearest authorised dealership for the necessary repairs, which will be carried out at no cost to the consumer. The NCC stressed that these recalls are crucial for ensuring the safety of all road users.