Nissan South Africa has issued a recall of 1,665 Qashqai Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), prompting the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to release a formal safety alert to protect motorists and ensure regulatory compliance.
The recall affects units distributed across the country between 4 May 2021 and 17 October 2024.
The manufacturer informed the NCC that a fuel pipe in some Qashqai models may shift within its retaining clip during vehicle operation, causing friction that could result in perforation and fuel leakage. The defect poses operational and safety risks, including potential engine failure or fire — liabilities that could significantly impact consumer confidence if not urgently addressed.
Acting NCC Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu said the automotive sector relies heavily on swift corrective action to maintain safety standards and market trust.
“The success of the recalls depends on the immediate response by owners. The NCC urges consumers to take affected vehicles to the nearest authorised dealership for inspection and necessary repairs, at no cost,” he said.
Vehicle recalls remain a core component of South Africa’s consumer protection framework, with regulatory oversight applied to ensure that defects are disclosed and remedied without financial burden to customers.
Nissan dealerships nationwide have been instructed to conduct inspections and replace any compromised components free of charge. Owners are encouraged to verify their vehicle’s status and schedule repairs promptly to mitigate risk.
The recall underscores the automotive industry’s ongoing challenge of balancing complex engineering systems with stringent safety expectations.
