{"id":831313,"date":"2025-07-14T10:45:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T08:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=831313"},"modified":"2025-07-14T10:46:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T08:46:52","slug":"warning-issued-to-range-rover-and-mercedes-benz-drivers-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/831313\/warning-issued-to-range-rover-and-mercedes-benz-drivers-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning issued to Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz drivers in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a warning to South African motorists who drive certain Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz models following the recall of several luxury vehicles due to safety defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commission is urging all affected consumers to act quickly to avoid possible injury or harm linked to potentially life-threatening faults in the affected vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaguar Land Rover Limited has recalled specific Range Rover Evoque models manufactured between 2021 and 2024, along with some 2025 units. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NCC noted that the passenger airbag may have been improperly folded during the assembly process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This defect could result in the airbag tearing upon deployment. According to the NCC, a torn airbag might reduce protection during a collision and allow hot gases to escape, increasing the risk of burns to occupants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese are basic, life-critical flaws,\u201d said Prudence Moilwa, Head of Complaints and Investigations at the NCC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy the manufacturers\u2019 own admission, something went wrong in the production process, and that’s why these recalls are happening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has initiated a recall of several 2023 models, including the SL (232), EQS (297), GLC (254), S-Class (223), and C-Class (206). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company identified a problem with the vehicles\u2019 fuse boxes, which may not have been reworked as required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could lead to serious malfunctions, including power failure, impaired instrument clusters, or failure of critical restraint systems, significantly increasing the risk of an accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NCC has also warned that the possibility of a thermal event, such as a fire, cannot be ruled out. Moilwa confirmed<\/a><\/strong> that both the airbag and fuse box issues present significant safety concerns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re talking about improperly folded airbags that can tear and electrical faults that could cause cars to lose power or even catch fire,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that this kind of failure should not happen, especially not in high-end vehicles like these. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cManufacturers must invest more in research, development, and quality control to avoid these defects and the high costs associated with recalling and repairing vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers must take the recall seriously <\/h2>\n\n\n
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Prudence Moilwa, Head of Complaints and Investigations<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

While the manufacturers have taken steps to alert vehicle owners, Moilwa said that not all consumers are responding appropriately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are monitoring these recalls and are aware that in some instances, suppliers have informed consumers, but they are not bringing in their vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a safety-critical recall, and consumers need to understand the urgency,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NCC has reiterated that under Section 61 of the Consumer Protection Act, manufacturers are liable for any harm caused by their products, regardless of whether a consumer ignores a recall notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acting NCC Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu has also urged vehicle owners to take action immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAffected consumers are urged to immediately contact any nearest authorised dealership of these motor vehicles to have the defect repaired at no charge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moilwa emphasised that the recall process is simple and hassle-free. \u201cIt\u2019s similar to taking your car in for a regular service,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe parts are already available. You simply need to book your vehicle at the dealership, and the repairs are done for free.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Depending on the dealership\u2019s service policies, you might be dropped off at your destination or given a courtesy vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moilwa also reassured the public that product recalls are standard international practice and supported by South African law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProduct recalls are legal under the Consumer Protection Act and are common in all countries. They are meant to allow suppliers to mitigate risk before something goes wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NCC has not yet confirmed the number of vehicles affected, but Moilwa urged all motorists with Range Rover or Mercedes-Benz models from the specified years to check their vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe urge consumers to check whether their vehicle is affected by entering the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the manufacturer\u2019s website, calling the helpline, or contacting a dealership. The VIN is the most important identifier,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moilwa warned all vehicle owners not to dismiss the recall simply because their cars appear to function normally. \u201cThis is about safety,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTaking your vehicle in might feel inconvenient, but it\u2019s nothing compared to the risks of driving a car with a potentially deadly defect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n