The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has recalled two VW models manufactured by Volkswagen SA (VWSA), Volvo Cars South Africa (Volvo South Africa), and Toyota South Africa Motors (Toyota South Africa) respectively for various mechanical and non-mechanical faults identified on them.
The NCC’s National spokesperson Pheto Ntaba told YOU FM Newshour listeners that manufacturers furnished the commissions with several reasons behind this recent recall.
“These are new vehicles released for the market this year except for the Hino 500 CBU that were made available from 11 May 2017 to 14 December 2023, and from 31 May 2018 to 25 December 2024, respectively.
So, we call on consumers not to downplay the seriousness of this recall,” Ntaba appealed to consumers.
She said about 159 Volkswagen Golf TSI and GTI were sold to the consumers this year.
“We are talking about 26 vehicles that are being recalled which includes Golf 8 R2.0 TSI 7 speed DSG 235 KW and Golf 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 7 speed DSG 180 KW which were sold between 16 April 2025 and 30 June 2025. These vehicles are specifically being recalled due to a defect in the front passenger seat belt. According to the manufacturer, there is a possibility that the seat belt on the front passenger side is not properly attached to the lower anchoring point because of a fault in the sewing process,” explained Ntaba.
She implored consumers to heed the call to return the said vehicles and not downplay the commission’s warnings.
“Consumers must heed the call and ensure that they take their vehicles in for repairs as per the recall by the manufacturers. The issue of the safety belt for example should not be downplayed as it could compromise the safety of the passenger on the vehicle.
“Because the VWSA said that if the lower anchoring point of the belt system is not securely attached, the protective function of the seat belt is significantly reduced.
“In the event of an accident, this could result in serious or fatal injuries to the occupant in the front passenger seat,” Ntaba expanded.
Furthermore, she said Volvo South Africa has also notified the NCC about the recall of 26 XC90 plug-in hybrid vehicles model year 2025-2026.
“This one’s recall is due to the vehicle’s braking functionality which 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. This could lead to a collision with potentially serious safety consequences for occupants of the vehicle and others,” remarked Ntaba.
The commission said it has also received a third recall notice from the Toyota South Africa that they are recalling a total of 6 662 Hino 500 SKD series and 77 Hino 500 CBU series that were made available from 11 May 2017 to 14 December 2023, and from 31 May 2018 to 25 December 2024, respectively.
“According to the supplier, an incorrect cage bolt spanner was supplied in the Hino 500 SKD vehicles, while the Hino 500 CBU came without the cage bolt spanner. Although the parking brake will continue to operate during a vehicle failure, it will not be possible to release the parking brake as the tool is incorrect and is not supplied,” warned Ntaba.
The consumers with affected vehicles are urged to urgently book their vehicles with their nearest approved dealerships for a thorough vehicle check, at no cost.
