Volkswagen Group South Africa has notified the National Consumer Commission (NCC) of a recall affecting the Polo hatchback and its crossover counterpart, the Taigo.
The recall, which applies to Polo and Taigo models purchased between 2022 and 2024, concerns a fault with the front passenger airbag that may pose a safety risk.
According to the automaker, there is a flaw in the gas generators of the front passenger airbag module, which prevents it from properly deploying in an accident.
In the event the car is involved in a crash, the gas generator may fail to correctly inflate, resulting in a reduced protective effect and an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
“Furthermore, 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,” said the NCC.
VW told the NCC that 142 Polo vehicles and eight Taigo vehicles are affected by the recall.
Of this sum, 141 of the affected Polos were made available for sale from 20 December 2022.
The remaining Polo and eight Taigo models were then made available for sale from 29 January 2024.
Consumers affected by the recall are advised to deactivate the front passenger airbag and refrain from using the front passenger seat.
They should then take their vehicle to a VWSA-approved dealership for a check and if necessary, a replacement of the faulty components.
Not the first Polo recall this year
In May 2025, VW South Africa notified the NCC of another recall affecting the Polo Sedan in South Africa.
The recall, which affected units sold from 2 April 2025 onwards, concerned a faulty latch plate for the rear seatbelts, which were produced with insufficient hardness.
Therefore, in the event of an accident or hard braking, there “may be a reduced retention or protective effect and related increased risk of injury,” according to the manufacturer.
The recall applied to a considerable 905 examples of the VW Polo Sedan identified to have the defective seatbelts.
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