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The National Consumer Commission (NCC) confirmed the recall of 142 Volkswagen Polo vehicles and eight Volkswagen Taigo vehicles on Thursday.
The NCC was notified by Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), which said the recall is due to a faulty part in the gas generators and front passenger airbag model.
Spokesperson Phetho Ntaba says that in the event of an accident with the front airbag deployed, the front passenger airbag may have a reduced protective effect and an increased risk of injury to the passenger.
"The gas generator housing may burst, or components of the gas generator housing may come loose and cause serious or deadly injuries to vehicle occupants" she said.
According to the supplier, 114 Polos were made available for sale nationally from 20 December 2022, while one (1) Polo and eight (8) Taigo vehicles were made available for sale from 29 January 2024.
Ntaba says affected consumers are advised to deactivate the front passenger airbag, refrain from using the front passenger seat, and submit their vehicle to any VWSA-approved dealer for a check and, if necessary, replace the affected components.
Last month, the NCC announced a sweeping recall of several vehicle models in South Africa, primarily due to safety defects.
Jeep, Chrysler, Citroën, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and Volvo are among the affected brands. Issues range from defective airbags to faulty batteries and braking systems.
