Cape Town – The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued an urgent recall affecting 25 729 Volkswagen Polo Vivo vehicles sold across South Africa after the manufacturer warned of a potential handbrake safety defect that could pose a serious risk to drivers and passengers.
According to the commission, the recall applies to Polo Vivo models that were made available for sale between February 2025 and February 2026 nationwide.
Volkswagen Group Africa notified the NCC that the rivet height on the handbrake lever in the affected cars may be outside the required specification, which could prevent the handbrake from engaging properly or, in rare cases, cause it to disengage unexpectedly. This defect could lead to unintended vehicle movement, particularly when a car is parked on an incline.
[WATCH] #Newzroo405‘s @Phila_MD reports from outside a VW dealership in Durban. This follows the NCC’s recall of over 25,000 Polo vehicles sold between February last year and this year. pic.twitter.com/sJ0Jzz0ikh
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 5, 2026
Acting NCC commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged owners to act swiftly for safety, saying, “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.”
The manufacturer also emphasised that inspections and repairs will be carried out at no cost to vehicle owners.
Until vehicles are checked and, if necessary, repaired, owners have been advised to take extra precautions. These include ensuring that manual cars are parked in first gear and automatics are left in “P” (park), as stated in the owner’s manual, and avoiding parking on slopes uphill or downhill until the issue has been resolved.
The NCC said it is closely monitoring the recall to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and to protect vehicle owners across the country.
Product Safety Recall: Own a VW Polo Vivo bought between Feb 2025 – Feb 2026?
Your vehicle may be part of the 25 729 vehicles affected by a handbrake defect.
Call or stop by an authorised VW dealership for a free inspection and possible repair. Your safety comes first.@the_dtic pic.twitter.com/Vf0NYdqPFK— The National Consumer Commission (NCC) (@TheNCC_RSA) March 5, 2026
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
