Ford, BMW, VW, and Hino vehicles recalled in South Africa — Here’s why

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is recalling the Ford Mustang, Ford Transit Custom, BMW X3 (G45) vehicles, and Hino 500 Series buses after it was notified by suppliers that there are some safety concerns. 

Ford Mustang

The Ford Motor Company informed the NCC that they are recalling the Ford Mustang vehicles that were made available from 2021 to 2022. 

The recall is said to be due to a low-pressure fuel pump.

The affected vehicles may lose fuel pressure and flow from the fuel tank due to a failure in the low-pressure fuel pump. Loss of fuel pressure and flow can result from internal contamination of the jet pump, particularly in low fuel conditions, and from reduced internal clearances of the fuel pump, leading to increased internal friction and sensitivity to vapour lock. 

The spokesperson for the NCC, Phetho Ntaba, said this may cause a loss of fuel delivery to the engine and result in an engine stall. 

“An engine stall while driving increases the risk of an accident,” Ntaba said. 

Ford Transit Custom 

The supplier of the Ford Transit Custom vehicles that were made available from 2024 and 2025 in South Africa is being recalled due to an airbag defect. 

“On the affected vehicles, the passenger’s airbag needs to be replaced as a filter within the inflator might not meet the thickness specification,” Ntaba said. 

In the event of an accident that could cause the airbag to deploy, the filter can block the gas, stopping it from moving through the inflator. 

BMW X3 (G45) Series

BMW AG is recalling the X3 (G45) series vehicles. According to the company, the two outer head restraints on the rear seats of the affected vehicles were not manufactured correctly. 

In the unlikely event of an accident, it is possible that the support function may be compromised and the outer head restraints on the rear seat may not provide the required protection. This may cause severe injuries as parts of the head restraint could knock or dislodge.

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA) informed the NCC that they are recalling the VW Polo, which was made available from May 19 to May 23, 2025. 

“This is due to the rear axle, which was not bolted to the body with the necessary torque. As a result, this can lead to the bolts detaching and, in the worst case, dislodgement of the rear axle and loss of control when driving,” Ntaba said. 

Hino 500 Series buses

The affected Hino 500 series buses may have been manufactured with a drag link that was not torqued correctly, and in some cases, split pins may be missing. 

“These components are critical to the steering system. This fault may cause a loss of steering control while the bus is in motion,” Ntaba said. 

The affected vehicles were made available between July 5, 2018, and August 12, 2025.

The NCC has urged owners of the affected vehicles to take it to the nearest authorised dealership and confirmed the necessary repair work would be carried out at no cost to the consumer. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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