Chery Auto (HKEX: 9973) is recalling 23,667 vehicles in South Africa over potential rear-axle welding and brake-pipe defects, following recalls announced in China and Malaysia.
South Africa's National Consumer Commission (NCC) announced the recall in a statement on Tuesday, and disclosed a separate investigation into Chery's recall reporting.
The NCC launched the investigation in October over allegations that Chery had recalled certain vehicles without notifying the regulator, acting commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu said. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Tiggo 4 accounts for the largest share of the recall, with 17,508 vehicles affected. These vehicles were made available for sale nationwide between October 17, 2023, and March 27, 2024.
According to information Chery provided to the NCC, the vehicles may have welding irregularities at the rear axle sleeve, potentially causing the rear axle to dislodge and the rear suspension to collapse.
Another 2,685 Omoda C5 vehicles are being recalled over potential welding defects at the rear axle sleeve, posing similar risks of rear-axle detachment and rear-suspension collapse.
The affected Omoda C5 vehicles were made available for sale nationwide between February 2023 and July 2026.
The recall also covers 3,474 Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 vehicles manufactured from May 20, 2026, onwards. Their front brake pipes may come into contact with the turbocharger assembly, causing wear and potential brake-fluid leakage.
This could reduce braking performance and increase stopping distances, potentially resulting in a collision, serious injury or death, the NCC said.
The recall is a voluntary, precautionary measure, and not every vehicle included has a defect, Verene Petersen, group communications manager for Chery South Africa, said, according to Bloomberg.
The necessary parts are already in South Africa, all repairs are free, and vehicles currently on sale are unaffected by the recall, Petersen said.
The NCC urged owners to visit authorized dealerships for inspections and repairs where necessary. Consumers can check their vehicle identification number (VIN) on Chery's website to determine whether their vehicle is affected.
If a vehicle cannot be driven safely, owners should contact an authorized Chery dealership or its contact center to arrange towing. All remedial work will be carried out free of charge.
The South African recall follows Chery's efforts to address rear-axle welding issues in China and Malaysia.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on November 6 that Chery would recall 53,882 Tiggo 5x and Omoda-series vehicles starting November 27 over potential rear-axle welding defects.
In October, Chery recalled 8,878 Omoda 5 vehicles in Malaysia after the rear axle of a 2023 model detached while it was being driven, prompting the local regulator to suspend the model's certification and new registrations.
The recalls come as Chery expands its South African business. Including its Jetour, Omoda and Jaecoo brands, Chery ranked third in passenger-vehicle sales in South Africa in October, according to Bloomberg.
Chery inaugurated its Rosslyn plant in South Africa, acquired from Nissan, in July. Under plans announced at the time, production is scheduled to begin in mid-2027, with annual capacity reaching 50,000 vehicles on a single shift once fully operational.
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