VW is recalling 25 729 Polo Vivos due to this issue

Volkswagen Group Africais recalling 25 729 Polo Vivo cars sold from February 2025 to February 2026. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) said on Thursday that the cars were sold throughout South Africa. The NCC is a body that protects consumers by ensuring that businesses treat them fairly and that they comply with consumer protection laws.

The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 protects consumers from hazards and ensures their well-being and safety by governing product recalls. The NCC as a consumer watchdog can order a recall if a product is deemed unsafe or poses a potential risk to the public. The cars are being recalled due to a handbrake issue.

“VW has informed the NCC that the rivet height on the handbrake lever fitted to the affected vehicles may be outside the required specification,” said acting commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu. “If the rivet height is out of specification, the handbrake may not engage properly or could, in rare cases, disengage unexpectedly. This may pose a safety risk, particularly when the vehicle is parked on an incline.” Ratshisusu added that VW has outlined that owners of the affected cars must take the following precautionary measures until the car has been inspected and, where necessary, repaired: He added that the organisation is monitoring this recall closely to ensure full compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and to safeguard consumer rights. “Given the high potential risks of the defect, owners of affected vehicles are urged to immediately get their vehicles to any authorised VW dealership for inspection,” said Ratshisusu.