Hundreds of luxury SUVs and Toyota trucks recalled in South Africa

South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) has notified local motorists of three separate vehicle safety recalls affecting hundreds of Audi Q3, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota Hino 700 models.

Audi South Africa has informed the NCC that it is recalling 235 affected Q3 models that were sold nationally through Audi SA-approved dealers from 16 April 2026 onwards.

According to the manufacturer, it has identified that the belt webbing of the front seat belts may not have been guided through the metal eyelet on the lap belt tensioner.

“This means that the seat belt may not be connected to the vehicle’s load-bearing structure. In the event of a fault, the affected seat belt may not restrain the occupant properly,” the NCC clarified.

The commission heard from Hyundai Automotive South Africa that 162 Santa Fe MX5 HEV vehicles sold nationally in 2025 have been recalled for a seat belt fault of their own.

“The defect concerns the front seat belts, with some vehicles potentially experiencing a misalignment of the front seat belt’s snap-on anchor,” explained the NCC.

“This could affect the proper positioning of the front seat belt and may pose a safety risk.”

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) initiated the largest recall of the three, recalling 482 Hino 700 trucks sold nationally through the Toyota South Africa dealer network between 17 April 2023 and 17 January 2025.

The NCC said the supplier explained that it found a defect caused by a bolt fracture during the assembly process on the production line.

“As a result, the fifth-wheel coupler securing bolts and mounting plate securing bolts may be fractured,” said the commission.

“This condition may affect the secure mounting of these components and presents a safety concern.”

The NCC has called on consumers who own any affected vehicles to report to their nearest dealerships for an inspection and replacement of the affected components at no cost.

Frequent safety recalls are a good thing – NADA

The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) said that South Africa’s frequent vehicle safety recalls are no reason to panic, instead demonstrating manufacturer accountability.

It explained that a vehicle recall is a proactive measure when a potential quality or safety concern is identified in a specific batch of vehicle components, with notices issued through the NCC.

That said, NADA noted that owners of vehicles no longer covered by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) warranty and those serviced outside franchised dealership networks risk missing essential updates.

According to the association’s National Director, Ashley Samuel, when a car is booked into a franchised dealership, these recalls are checked before any work is completed.

“The service centre will typically check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) against the manufacturer’s central database for any open recalls,” he explained.

“If there’s an open recall, the dealership carries out the required work seamlessly.”

However, the director added that if a vehicle is maintained through an independent workshop, the automated checking process might not be present.

“That is why we strongly encourage car owners, particularly those who service their vehicle outside the franchised dealership network, to take a proactive step and check their vehicle’s status,” he noted.

The association explained that recalls reflect commitment to quality and safety, since a recall notice does not mean a vehicle is inherently dangerous or poorly made.

“Instead, it reflects a commitment by car makers to continuously monitor vehicle performance in real-world conditions and implement improvements,” NADA said.