Cape Town: Western Cape motorists are being urged to check whether their vehicles are affected by one of 17 safety recalls issued nationally this year after a compilation of official notices showed that more than 39,000 cars, SUVs, vans and trucks may require inspection or repair.
South Africa’s vehicle-recall count has climbed to an estimated 39,164 units during the first half of the year, with defects identified across several major manufacturers and vehicle categories. The total was compiled by TopAuto from recall notices issued through the National Consumer Commission.
The recalls apply nationally, meaning the published figures do not show how many affected vehicles are registered in Cape Town or the Western Cape. However, the scale of the campaigns and the seriousness of several defects make the matter directly relevant to local motorists, particularly owners who may not have received a dealer notification or who bought their vehicle second-hand.
Faults identified in the notices include defective handbrake components, reversing-camera software failures, braking-system risks, high-voltage battery concerns, possible transmission damage, airbag defects and electrical components that may overheat or malfunction.
The National Consumer Commission has repeatedly advised affected owners to contact an authorised dealership promptly. Inspection, software updates, replacement parts and other recall-related repairs should be completed without charge to the vehicle owner.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo Recall Dominates The Total
The largest single recall issued this year affects 25,729 Volkswagen Polo Vivo vehicles sold nationally between February 2025 and February 2026.
According to the National Consumer Commission’s official notice, the rivet height on the handbrake lever may fall outside the required specification. If the component is defective, the handbrake may fail to engage properly or could disengage unexpectedly in rare cases.
The risk is particularly serious when a vehicle is parked on an incline. Until inspection and any necessary repair have been completed, owners have been advised not to park on an uphill or downhill slope.
Drivers should also take additional precautions by selecting first gear when parking a manual vehicle or placing an automatic vehicle in “P”, in accordance with the owner’s manual.
Acting National Consumer Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged owners to take the notice seriously and arrange immediate inspection at an authorised Volkswagen dealership. He confirmed that the inspection and any associated repair would be carried out at no cost.
The Polo Vivo is one of South Africa’s most widely used passenger vehicles, including among private motorists, rental fleets, driving schools and smaller businesses. The size of the recall therefore makes it likely that a substantial number of affected vehicles are operating in the Western Cape, although no provincial breakdown has been published.
Toyota & Lexus Camera Fault Affects 6,525 Vehicles
Toyota and Lexus issued another major recall affecting 6,525 vehicles sold across South Africa.
The campaign covers 4,858 Toyota vehicles and 1,667 Lexus vehicles. Affected Toyota models include the Crown, Land Cruiser 300, Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4 and bZ4X sold between 2022 and 2025.
Affected Lexus models include the ES, GX, LC500, LX500 and LX700 derivatives, LX600 and LX500d, NX, RX and RZ vehicles sold between 2021 and 2025.
The NCC recall notice says software in the Parking Assist Electronic Control Unit may cause the rear-view image to freeze briefly when reverse gear is selected shortly after the vehicle starts. In some cases, the image may fail to display entirely.
A frozen or missing camera image could prevent a driver from seeing pedestrians, objects or vehicles behind the car, increasing the risk of a reversing collision. Owners have been instructed to take affected vehicles to an authorised Toyota or Lexus dealership for inspection and a software update or repair at no cost.
The defect does not remove the driver’s responsibility to check mirrors and surroundings before reversing. A camera remains an assistance system rather than a substitute for direct observation.
Braking Defect Identified In Audi E-Tron GT
Audi South Africa recalled 40 e-tron GT vehicles because a bolted connection between the brake pedal input rod and the brake-servo operating rod could become loose.
The official recall notice says that if the connection detached completely, normal braking would no longer be available and the driver would have to rely on the controlled emergency-braking function.
Although the number of vehicles is small compared with the Volkswagen campaign, the potential consequence is serious because the defect affects the vehicle’s primary braking system.
The recall covers certain e-tron GT vehicles sold nationally between November 2021 and March this year. Owners have been urged to arrange an inspection and repair through an authorised Audi dealership.
Ford Transit Battery Fault Raises Health Concerns
Ford recalled 582 Transit and Transit or Tourneo Custom vehicles from the 2022 to 2026 model years because of a possible defect involving H7 AGM batteries.
According to the NCC notice, affected batteries may produce an acidic or rotten-egg smell, a hissing sound or visible gas venting. The seat area may also become unusually warm.
Higher battery temperatures may trigger a reaction producing hydrogen sulphide gas. Prolonged exposure could pose health risks to occupants, particularly in a closed cabin.
Owners noticing unusual smells, heat or hissing sounds should avoid ignoring the symptoms and should contact an authorised Ford dealer. The necessary repair is provided without charge.
The recall has particular relevance for commercial operators, passenger transport providers and businesses using Transit or Tourneo vehicles for regular staff or customer transport.
Lexus Transmission Defect Could Cause Loss Of Power
A separate Lexus recall affects 110 LX500d vehicles sold between March 2025 and January this year.
The vehicles use a 10-speed automatic transmission controlled through linear solenoids. The NCC says a solenoid failure under certain conditions may not be communicated properly between the transmission and engine control units.
This could cause the transmission to over-rev in particular gears, leading to internal damage and a loss of motive power while travelling at higher speeds. If damage extends to the transmission housing, fluid may leak and create an additional crash or fire risk where an ignition source is present.
Affected owners have been advised to take their vehicles to an authorised Lexus dealership for reprogramming of the transmission control unit.
Hino Speedometer & Odometer Fault
Toyota South Africa also recalled 146 Hino 300-series commercial vehicles distributed between March and October last year.
The affected models include the XZU600R, XZU650R, XZU720R and XZU730R.
An incorrect component may have been installed on the circuit board inside the combination meter. The component could overheat, causing the speedometer, odometer or both to malfunction.
A driver unable to determine the vehicle’s correct speed may unknowingly exceed the legal limit or travel at an unsafe speed for prevailing conditions. An odometer failure may also interfere with maintenance scheduling and vehicle records.
The affected meter units will be inspected and replaced through authorised Toyota dealerships without cost to owners.
Smaller Recall Numbers Can Still Carry Serious Risks
Several other recalls issued during the year affect relatively small numbers of vehicles but involve defects with potentially serious consequences.
The recalls include MG MG3 vehicles where the driver’s seat may move during a collision, selected Hyundai vehicles with possible abnormal driver-airbag operation, Lexus models with a fuel-pump defect that could cause the engine to stall and Jeep or other imported vehicles affected by various mechanical or electronic concerns.
A recall affecting only a handful of vehicles is not necessarily less urgent for the individual owner. Recall size reflects how many units are affected, not how serious the defect may be.
Owners should therefore respond to any formal recall notice, regardless of whether the campaign covers tens of thousands of vehicles or fewer than 20.
How Motorists Can Check Their Vehicles
Owners who believe their vehicle may be affected should contact an authorised dealership for the relevant manufacturer and provide the vehicle identification number, commonly called the VIN.
The VIN is normally displayed on the windscreen, door frame, licence document or service records. Dealers can use it to confirm whether a particular vehicle falls within the affected production range.
Motorists can also review the National Consumer Commission’s product recall notices or contact the commission at ProductRecall@thencc.org.za.
Because many vehicles change ownership, manufacturers and dealerships may not always hold the current owner’s contact information. Buyers of used vehicles should not assume that the absence of a letter, telephone call or email means the vehicle is unaffected.
A recall repair should not require the owner to pay for the corrective work described in the campaign. Motorists should ask the authorised dealer to explain what will be inspected or replaced and whether the vehicle is safe to continue using before the appointment.
Recalls Do Not Mean Every Vehicle Has Failed
A recall is generally issued when a supplier identifies a safety-related defect or a risk affecting a defined group of vehicles.
It does not mean every affected vehicle has already suffered a component failure. The purpose is to inspect and correct the defect before an accident, breakdown or injury occurs.
Similarly, the total of 39,164 recalled units does not mean that all affected vehicles remain unrepaired. Some owners may already have completed the required inspection or corrective work.
The figure reflects the number of vehicles included in recall notices, not the number of unresolved cases currently on South African roads.
Western Cape Owners Should Act Promptly
Cape Town’s steep roads, dense traffic, large pedestrian population and extensive use of vehicles for commercial transport make defects involving handbrakes, cameras, brakes and loss of motive power particularly concerning.
A handbrake that disengages on an incline can place pedestrians, parked vehicles and property at risk. A frozen reversing camera can be dangerous in busy shopping centres, residential complexes and school zones. Sudden power or braking problems can become critical on highways such as the N1, N2, R300 and M5.
Motorists should therefore treat official recall notices as preventative safety measures rather than optional maintenance campaigns.
The practical steps are simple: confirm the VIN with the manufacturer or dealership, book the inspection promptly, follow any interim safety instructions and keep proof that the recall work was completed.
Q&A
How many vehicles have been recalled in South Africa this year?
A TopAuto compilation of official National Consumer Commission notices identified 39,164 vehicles affected by 17 recall campaigns.
Does the total refer specifically to the Western Cape?
No. The recall figures are national, and no provincial breakdown has been published.
Which recall affects the most vehicles?
The largest recall covers 25,729 Volkswagen Polo Vivo vehicles because of a possible handbrake defect.
Which Toyota and Lexus models are affected by the camera recall?
Affected Toyota models include the Crown, Land Cruiser 300, Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4 and bZ4X. A range of Lexus ES, GX, LC, LX, NX, RX and RZ models is also included.
Do owners have to pay for recall repairs?
No. The NCC notices state that inspections, software updates and necessary corrective repairs will be carried out at no cost to affected owners.
How can a driver check whether a vehicle is affected?
The owner should contact an authorised dealership and provide the vehicle identification number, or VIN.
Is a recalled vehicle automatically unsafe to drive?
Not every recalled vehicle has experienced a failure, but owners should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and arrange inspection promptly.
What should Polo Vivo owners do before inspection?
The NCC advises owners not to park on slopes and to use first gear for manual cars or “P” for automatic vehicles when parked.
Where can motorists view official notices?
Recall notices are published through the National Consumer Commission’s website and can also be confirmed with the relevant manufacturer or authorised dealership.
SAI Search Summary
An estimated 39,164 vehicles have been affected by 17 recall notices in South Africa this year. The largest campaign covers 25,729 Volkswagen Polo Vivo vehicles with a possible handbrake defect, while Toyota and Lexus have recalled 6,525 vehicles because reversing-camera images may freeze or fail. Other recalls involve braking systems, batteries, transmissions, airbags and electronic components. The recalls apply nationally, and no Western Cape breakdown is available. Affected motorists should contact an authorised dealership, confirm their vehicle identification number and arrange the required inspection or repair at no cost.
Source: TopAuto – Staff Writer, “39,164 Cars Recalled In South Africa So Far This Year”; National Consumer Commission – Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu and spokesperson Phetho Ntaba; Volkswagen Group Africa; Toyota South Africa Motors; Lexus South Africa Motors; Audi South Africa; Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
