A national safety alert has been triggered as Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Citroen and Volvo all pull thousands of vehicles off South African roads over terrifying technical defects that could end in catastrophe, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) confirmed this week that Stellantis South Africa is urgently recalling Jeep-Wrangler and Chrysler 300c models, after it was found that a critical fault in the Takata airbag system could lead to a deadly explosion.
‘According to the supplier, the passenger airbag inflator may rupture, due to excessive internal pressure, during normal airbag deployment events,’ said NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba. ‘In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could strike the vehicle occupants, which may result in serious injury or death.’
These Jeep and Chrysler models were sold between 2014 and 2016. Drivers are urged to head to the nearest authorised dealership for a free airbag repair or replacement.
But that’s not where the danger ends.
Stellantis has also issued a recall for Citroen C4, DS4, and DS5 models distributed between 2009 and 2016, due to a similarly dangerous defect in the driver and passenger airbag inflators.
‘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, capable of causing serious injury or possibly death in a worst-case scenario,’ Ntaba warned.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz AG South Africa is recalling two of its top-tier models for brake-related issues.
Ntaba explained that CLA models (platform 118) could suffer from brake fluid leaks over time due to rear axle brake hoses that might not meet correct length 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,’ she said. ‘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.’
In addition, S-Class models from 2020 to 2023 (model series 223) are also affected, as brake hoses on the front axle could start leaking under hot and moist conditions, she noted.
‘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,’ she said.
Audi South Africa isn’t spared either. The luxury brand is recalling 46 e-tron GT units produced from 27 October 2021 onwards due to a high-voltage battery defect that could result in spontaneous combustion.
‘This is caused by some individual cell modules of the high-voltage battery that may display technical irregularities,’ said Ntaba. ‘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.’
Affected owners are advised to get their vehicles checked and modules replaced at any Audi SA-approved dealership.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Volkswagen South Africa is recalling 905 units of the VW Polo Sedan, sold from 2 April 2025 onwards, due to a defect in the rear seat belt latch plates that could fail during a serious crash.
‘Therefore, in the event of powerful deceleration (accident or hard braking), there may be a reduced retention or protective effect and related increased risk of injury,’ Ntaba said.
Lastly, Volvo Car South Africa is recalling 27 XC90 plug-in hybrid models, manufactured between 2020 and 2022, due to an overheating risk from their high-voltage battery cells when fully charged.
‘According to the supplier, 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,’ she said.
All affected motorists are urged not to delay and to book their vehicles in at the nearest authorised dealership for a safety inspection and free repairs or replacements where necessary.
The NCC said it’s working with all suppliers to ensure consumer safety, and vehicle owners can visit the official website or contact their vehicle’s manufacturer to confirm if their car is affected.
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Picture: Jeep / Facebook
