Chery has recalled 23,667 vehicles in South Africa after safety defects were identified that could cause the rear suspension to collapse or reduce braking performance, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) has confirmed. The recall, announced on 10 November 2026, covers selected Chery Tiggo 4, Omoda C5 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 vehicles sold across the country.

The commission said Chery International, trading as Chery South Africa, notified it of the problems. Owners of affected vehicles are being urged to respond to the recall and have their cars inspected at an authorised dealership, where any necessary repairs will be carried out.

Which vehicles are affected?

The largest group in the recall is the Chery Tiggo 4, with 17,508 vehicles affected. According to the NCC, these cars were made available for sale between 17 October 2023 and 27 March 2024. The supplier told the regulator that the affected Tiggo 4 vehicles may have welding irregularities at the rear axle sleeve, which could allow the rear axle to become dislodged and result in the rear suspension collapsing.

The Omoda C5 faces the same rear axle concern. A total of 2,685 Omoda C5 vehicles made available for sale between February 2023 and July 2026 are included in the recall. The NCC said the rear axle sleeve on these vehicles may also have welding defects, creating the same risk of the axle dislodging and the rear suspension collapsing.

Chery has said that the affected rear axle models are no longer being produced and that current models on sale in South Africa are not part of the identified production batch. Owners should nevertheless check whether their own vehicle is included, rather than assuming it is unaffected.

Separate brake fault on Tiggo 8 Pro Max

A different safety concern has prompted the recall of 3,474 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 vehicles manufactured from 20 May 2026 onwards. On these vehicles, the front brake pipe may come into contact with the turbocharger assembly, causing wear and potential brake fluid leakage.

The NCC warned that this could reduce braking performance and increase stopping distances, potentially resulting in a collision, serious injury or death. The brake fault is separate from the rear axle issue affecting the Tiggo 4 and Omoda C5, and it affects a newer group of vehicles.

What owners should do

Owners are urged to visit their authorised Chery dealership for an inspection and possible repairs. They can also visit Chery's website to check whether their vehicle identification number, known as the VIN, is included in the recall.

If an owner believes it is unsafe to drive the affected vehicle, the NCC said they should contact a Chery authorised dealership or the company's contact centre to arrange towing. Questions about the recall can also be directed to the commission at ProductRecall@thencc.org.za.

Separate investigation into earlier recalls

The NCC also confirmed that it launched a separate investigation against Chery in October 2026 over allegations that certain vehicles had been recalled without the commission being informed. That investigation is ongoing, and the allegations have not been presented by the commission as established findings.

NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged motorists to respond to the new recall, while reminding suppliers of their obligation to notify the regulator promptly about any product recall. The commission said the investigation and the newly announced recall are separate matters, and the recall announced on 10 November should be treated on its own terms by owners of the three affected models.