If you own a Ford, BMW, VW Polo, or a Hino bus, heads up—South Africa’s consumer watchdog just flagged urgent safety recalls for several models.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Ford Mustang (2021–2022): Ford is recalling Mustang models built between 2021 and 2022 because of a problem with the low-pressure fuel pump. The issue may cause the engine to lose power or stall while driving. This happens when the fuel pump fails due to internal problems, especially when fuel levels are low. If the engine stalls, it increases the risk of a crash. Ford says owners should take their cars in for inspection and repair.
- Ford Transit Custom (2024–2025): Ford is recalling Transit Custom vans sold between 2024 and 2025 in South Africa due to a defect in the passenger’s airbag. The issue involves a filter inside the airbag inflator that may be too thick. If the airbag is triggered during an accident, the faulty filter could block the gas needed to inflate it properly, which may stop the airbag from deploying and reduce passenger safety.
- BMW X3 (G45): BMW is recalling certain X3 (G45) models due to a manufacturing fault in the two outer rear seat headrests. These headrests may not offer proper support in the event of a crash. If they fail to perform as expected, parts of the headrest could shift or detach, increasing the risk of serious injury to passengers.
- VW Polo (May 2025 builds): Volkswagen is recalling certain Polo units sold between 19 and 23 May 2025 due to an issue with the rear axle. The axle wasn’t bolted to the vehicle body with the correct torque, which could cause bolts to loosen. In the worst case, the rear axle could detach while driving, leading to a loss of control and a serious safety risk.
- Hino 500 Buses (2018–2025): Hino is recalling 500 series buses built between 5 July 2018 and 12 August 2025 due to a critical steering issue. Some buses may have a drag link that wasn’t properly torqued, and in certain cases, split pins may be missing altogether. These faults can affect the steering system and could lead to a loss of control while the bus is moving.
Owners are advised to take their cars to any authorised dealership. All repairs will be done at no cost.
