The National Consumer Commission said the cars were sold nationally.
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.
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Handbrake issue in Polo Vivo
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.”
Precautionary measures for Polo Vivo drivers
According to data from AutoTrader, the Polo Vivo remains one of the country’s most popular cars, with the 1.4 Trendline variant named the country’s top-selling pre-owned hatchback for 2025.
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:
- Ensure that the vehicle is parked with additional precaution, such as selecting first gear for manual vehicles or “P” for automatic models, as specified in the owner’s manual.
- Do not park the vehicle on any slope (uphill or downhill) until the inspection and any required repairs are complete.
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Monitoring the recall
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.
“Any inspection and associated repairs will be done at no cost to the vehicle owners.”
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