Planning a self-drive trip in South Africa in a Chinese-built SUV? Two of the country's most popular budget brands, Chery and its sister marque Omoda, have issued a nationwide safety recall covering 23,667 vehicles, and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) is urging owners to act quickly.
The biggest chunk of the recall involves the Chery Tiggo 4: 17,508 units built between 17 October 2023 and 27 March 2024. The concern is potential welding irregularities at the rear axle sleeve, which in a worst-case scenario could cause the rear axle to dislodge and the rear suspension to fail while driving — a serious safety risk at any speed.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 is also affected, with 3,474 vehicles called in over a front brake pipe that may rub against the turbocharger assembly. Over time that contact could wear through the pipe and leak brake fluid, lengthening stopping distances and compromising braking performance.
Rounding out the recall are 2,685 Omoda C5 units sold between February 2023 and July 2026, which may share the same rear axle sleeve welding defect as the Tiggo 4.
The good news: all inspections and repairs under the recall are free. Owners can check whether their vehicle is affected by entering their VIN on Chery's website, and anyone whose car is deemed unsafe to drive can ask an authorised dealership or customer service to arrange a tow. Chery has also set up an email address for consumer questions about the recall.
There's a regulatory wrinkle too. NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu reminded suppliers of their obligation to notify the regulator promptly about recalls, and confirmed that a separate investigation into Chery is under way following allegations that some vehicles were recalled without proper notification to the commission.
Why should holidaymakers care? South Africa is one of the world's great self-drive destinations — think the Garden Route, Kruger's roads, the Cape Winelands — and Chery and Omoda models are common on rental fleets and among budget-conscious travellers. If you've booked a rental, ask the company whether your model is affected and confirm the recall repair has been done before you collect the keys. If you own one of these vehicles, checking your VIN takes a few minutes and could spare you a very unwelcome mechanical failure far from home. With free repairs on offer, there's little reason to put it off — and every reason to sort it before loading up the boot for a long drive.
