By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has notified motorists of new recalls for vehicles from seven different brands in South Africa, mostly due to safety defects.
The affected brands include Jeep, Chrysler, Citroën, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and Volvo, with issues ranging from defective airbags to faulty batteries and braking systems.
Consumers have been urged to act swiftly as safety remains paramount.
Acting NCC Commissioner Thezi Mabuza said vehicle owners must not delay taking action.
“We urge all consumers in possession of the affected vehicles to contact their nearest authorised dealership immediately, these defects are not minor — they present life-threatening risks. Consumer safety is non-negotiable.”
She added that all repairs or part replacements will be carried out at no cost to the consumer.
“Consumers unsure whether their vehicle is affected can check with their brand’s customer service or visit an authorised dealership.
Stellantis South Africa (Pty) Ltd has recalled Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler 300c models produced between 2014 and 2016 due to faulty Takata airbags.
“The passenger airbag inflator may rupture during normal airbag deployment events due to excessive internal pressure,” said Stellantis in its statement. “In the event of a rupture, metal fragments could strike vehicle occupants, potentially causing serious injury or death.”
Due to similar airbag risks, Stellantis also recalled the Citroën C4, DS4, and DS5 models manufactured from 2009 to 2016.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa is recalling CLA (118 platform) and S-Class (model series 223) vehicles. The problem lies with brake hoses on both the rear and front axles.
“In the CLA, rear axle brake hoses may not meet specifications, leading to chafing and leaks over time, “the company explained.
“In the S-Class, hoses may begin to leak in hot, humid environments. In both cases, this compromises braking performance.” The affected S-Class vehicles were produced between 2020 and 2023.
Audi South Africa is recalling 46 units of the Audi e-tron GT electric vehicle, manufactured from 27 October 2021.
“There is a serious safety risk stemming from irregularities in some cell modules of the high-voltage battery,” said Audi.
“The battery may overheat and pose an acute fire hazard. This could result in severe or fatal injuries and significant property damage.”
Volkswagen of South Africa has recalled 905 VW Polo Sedans sold from 2 April 2025. The rear seatbelt latch plates were produced with insufficient hardness.
“There may be a reduced protective effect during a crash, this increases the risk of injury for passengers.”
Volvo Car South Africa is recalling 27 XC90 vehicles (model years 2020–2022) due to battery cell overheating when fully charged. “The risk, in worst-case scenarios, is a thermal event essentially a fire hazard,” said the manufacturer.