The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced that various Jeep, Citroën, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen (VW) and Volvo vehicle models have been recalled.

Stellantis South Africa informed the NCC that it is recalling the Jeep-Wrangler and Jeep-Wrangler Chrysler 300c models owing to a defect in the Takata airbag.

“The passenger airbag inflator may rupture, owing to excessive internal pressure, during normal airbag deployment events. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could strike the vehicle occupants, which may result in serious injury or death,” the supplier said.

These vehicles were made available for sale from 2014 to 2016. Consumers were urged to visit the nearest authorised dealership for a repair or replacement of the airbag.

Stellantis also noted the recall of the Citroën C4, DS4 and DS5 models distributed from 2009 to 2016. These vehicles are being recalled owing to a driver and passenger airbag inflator that may rupture during the airbag deployment phase.

The potentially high energetic deployment of the inflator may lead to metal fragments detaching from the bursting inflator, and these parts could fly in the direction of the driver or occupants in the vehicle, potentially causing serious injury or possibly death in a worst-case scenario.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa also notified the NCC that in certain CLA (118 platform) vehicles, “… the length of the brake hoses on the rear axle might not have met the specifications”.

The brake hoses of the rear axle might come into contact with surrounding components, chafe over time and subsequently cause brake fluid to leak. This, according to the supplier, will lead to a reduced braking performance in one of the two brake circuits, increasing the risk of an accident caused by the brake fluid loss.

The same issue applies to the S-Class (model series 223).

Mercedes-Benz is recalling these vehicles owing to brake hoses on the front axle. The brake hoses may gradually start to leak in hot and moist areas after an extended operating period.

As a result, the brake fluid could leak out, impairing brake power in one of the two brake circuits, increasing the risk of an accident. The recalled vehicles were produced between 2020 and 2023.

Audi South Africa informed the NCC that it was recalling its Audi-Tron GT vehicles.

The recall is as a result of a high-voltage battery. 

“This is caused by some individual cell modules of the high-voltage battery that may display technical irregularities. The high-voltage battery may overheat, resulting in an acute fire hazard, with the associated risk of severe fatal injuries to people inside and or outside the vehicle, as well as significant property damage,” Audi said.

A total of 46 affected vehicles were made available nationally.

Consumers with affected vehicles were asked to submit their vehicles to any Audi-approved dealer for checking and, if necessary, module replacement. The affected vehicles were produced from October 27, 2021, onwards.

VW of South Africa also notified the NCC that it was recalling the VW Polo Sedan. 

According to the supplier, the latch plates for the rear seat belt were produced with insufficient hardness.

Therefore, in the event of powerful deceleration during an accident or hard braking, “… there may be a reduced retention or protective effect and related increased risk of injury”, VW said.

In total, 905 affected vehicles were made available for sale nationally from April 2. Affected consumers were urged to contact an approved VW dealer for a check and, if necessary, replacement of the affected components.

Volvo Car South Africa also said it was recalling 27 Volvo XC90 2020 to 2022 models. The recall is because of a potential issue with the high-voltage battery.

According to the Volvo, the issue may lead to overheating of the battery cells when the battery is fully charged, and in a worst-case scenario, the overheating in the high-voltage battery may lead to a thermal event.

Consumers with affected vehicles were urged to book their vehicles into the nearest approved agents or dealerships for a check and the replacement of defective components, where necessary.