Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has informed the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and customers of a recall of more than 2,000 Urban Cruiser models due to a manufacturing fault.
According to TSAM, the 2,208 vehicles were made available for sale through Toyota’s South Africa dealer network between 17 January 2025 and 3 June 2025.
The bulk of these (2,015) were sold in the local market, while the balance was sold in neighbouring countries, including 14 in Eswatini, 23 in Botswana, 5 in Lesotho, and 151 exported to Namibia.
Toyota informed the NCC of a fault during the manufacturing process of the combination meter, which makes it possible for an incorrect fuel indicator correction value to be written to the meter’s memory.
“As a result, the fuel level indicator on the combination meter may show more fuel than is actually remaining,” explained the National Consumer Commission.
“The low fuel warning light may not turn on as the fuel decreases, so the driver may not notice and run out of fuel, resulting in the engine stalling and the engine not starting.”
It added that consumers who own the affected vehicles should take their vehicles to the nearest authorised Toyota dealership for a complimentary fuel gauge inspection.
The commission also noted that any corrective work will also be performed at no cost to the consumer.
Toyota Urban Cruiser owners with additional questions or queries relating to the vehicle’s recall have been urged to contact the commission via email at [email protected].
It remains to be seen if Suzuki recalls its Urban Cruiser equivalent, the Grand Vitara, or if the fault lies solely with Toyota-badged models.
A second Toyota recall in a week
Last week, TSAM alongside Lexus South Africa Motors (LSAM) recalled hundreds of vehicles in South Africa due to a major engine fault.
The two Japanese carmakers informed the NCC about the fault affecting 507 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 models and 124 Lexus LX600 vehicles.
These SUVs share a V35A 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, which is the common faulty component affecting more than 600 vehicles.
The affected models were sold through nationwide authorised Toyota dealerships between December 2022 and May 2024, with some of these exported to neighbouring countries like Botswana and Namibia.
“According to Toyota, both Lexus and Land Cruiser vehicles are equipped with a V35A engine that contains crankshaft main bearings, which allow the crankshaft to rotate within the engine while it is running,” explained the NCC.
“During a specific production period, engine machining debris may not have been completely removed during manufacturing, resulting in contamination of the engine assembly.”
The commission went on to explain that if this machining debris adheres to the main bearings and the engine remains in operation under high loads for a sustained period, these bearings may fail.
This failure could result in more than mere heavy engine knocking, and could instead lead to rough engine operation, difficulty starting the motor, or a complete engine stall.
“An engine stall while driving may lead to a loss of motive power, increasing the risk of an accident when driving at higher speeds,” warned the NCC.
Loading ...
