By Motshwari Mo Mofokeng
Durban – A large number of Volkswagen Polo Vivo cars have been recalled in South Africa after a possible safety problem was found in the handbrake system, as confirmed by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) on Friday.
The recall impacts 25,729 vehicles sold by Volkswagen Group Africa from February 2025 to February 2026. The NCC stated that the problem involves the height of a rivet in the handbrake lever assembly, which might not meet the necessary manufacturing standards.
Authorities caution that if the rivet height is incorrect, the handbrake may not engage properly or could disengage unexpectedly, creating a safety hazard for drivers. This risk is especially serious when cars are parked on slopes, where a malfunctioning handbrake could let a vehicle roll away.
Acting NCC commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged owners of the affected cars to bring their vehicles to authorized Volkswagen dealerships for inspection without delay.
“Due to the significant risks associated with the defect, owners should have their cars checked as soon as they can,” Ratshisusu stated, noting that all inspections and repairs will be done at no cost.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen has recommended that drivers take safety precautions when parking, such as putting manual cars in first gear or setting automatic cars to ‘P’.
The Polo Vivo continues to be one of the top-selling cars in South Africa, with over 2,000 units sold in February alone, underscoring the extent of the issue.
