MORE than 23 000 Chery and Omoda vehicles have been recalled over safety defects that could cause suspension failure or affect braking performance.
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According to National Consumer Commission (NCC) spokeswoman, Phetho Ntaba, motorists are warned to take their vehicles for inspection and repairs after Chery South Africa reported safety problems affecting 23 667 vehicles sold across the country.
The recall affects 17 508 Chery Tiggo 4s, 3 474 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0s and 2 685 Omoda C5s.
The biggest recall involves the Chery Tiggo 4, with affected vehicles sold between 17 October 2023 and 27 March 2024.
According to the NCC, welding defects on the rear axle sleeve could cause the axle to come loose, resulting in the rear suspension collapsing.
The same welding problem affects certain Omoda C5 vehicles sold between February 2023 and July 2026.
But owners of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 have a different problem to worry about.
The NCC said the front brake pipe could come into contact with the turbocharger assembly, causing wear and possible brake-fluid leaks.
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This could affect braking performance, increase stopping distances and lead to crashes, serious injuries or even death.
NCC acting commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu urged motorists to take the recall seriously.
“Whilst we urge consumers to heed the call and respond to this recall, we also remind suppliers of their obligation to notify any product recall promptly,” he said.
Ratshisusu also revealed that the NCC opened a separate investigation against Chery in October 2026.
The investigation relates to allegations that certain vehicles were recalled without the commission being informed. It is still ongoing.
The NCC urged affected motorists to contact authorised Chery dealerships for inspections and repairs.
Motorists can also check whether their vehicle is affected using its vehicle identification number (VIN) on Chery South Africa’s website.
Those who are unsure whether their vehicles are safe to drive should contact an authorised dealership or Chery’s contact centre to arrange towing.
All inspections and repairs related to the recall will be done at no cost to consumers.
