Volkswagen has reportedly issued a safety recall for nearly 26 000 Polo Vivo units sold across South Africa over the past year. Here’s what you need to know…
- NCC says recall includes 25 729 units
- Potential handbrake issue a “safety risk”
- Both 2025 and 2026 model years included
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) says Volkswagen Group Africa has issued a safety recall for nearly 26 000 units of the Polo Vivo hatchback sold in South Africa over the past year, citing a potential issue with the locally built model’s handbrake lever.
According to the NCC, the recall action includes as many as 25 729 units of the Polo Vivo – which retained the title of SA’s best-selling passenger car last year – registered across South Africa from February 2025 to February 2026. VW Group Africa has since confirmed it “proactively reported the safety risk to its customers”, though its statement didn’t mention the number of units affected.
Meanwhile, the NCC’s statement says the “rivet height on the handbrake lever fitted to the affected vehicles may be outside the required specification”, adding that in such cases, the handbrake “may not engage properly or could, in rare cases, disengage unexpectedly”, which poses “a safety risk, particularly when the vehicle is parked on an incline”.
According to the NCC, Volkswagen Group Africa has advised owners of affected vehicles to take “precautionary measures until the vehicle has been inspected and, where necessary, repaired”.
The NCC said VW furthermore advised owners to ensure the vehicle is “parked with additional precaution, such as selecting first gear for manual vehicles or ‘P’ for automatic models”, and further suggested owners not to park the vehicle on an incline.
“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. Any inspection and associated repairs will be done at no cost to the vehicle owners,” said acting NCC Commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu.
As a reminder, the Polo Vivo was South Africa’s top-selling passenger vehicle in 2025, a crown it has held every single year since the nameplate’s launch way back in 2010. Still, the Kariega-built hatchback experienced only marginal year-on-year growth of 0.6% last year, seeing it end the reporting period on 26 067 units.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Polo Vivo Handbrake Recall
Q: Which Polo Vivo models are included in this safety recall?
A: The recall affects 25 729 units registered in South Africa between February 2025 and February 2026. This includes both the 2025 and 2026 model years of the Kariega-built hatchback.
Q: What is the specific mechanical defect being reported?
A: The National Consumer Commission says the rivet height on the handbrake lever may be outside of the required technical specifications. This means the handbrake might not engage correctly or could unexpectedly disengage, which is a safety concern if the car is parked on a slope.
Q: What should I do if my vehicle is part of the affected batch?
A: You should contact an authorised Volkswagen dealership immediately to arrange for a free inspection and any necessary repairs. Until the car is checked, you are advised not to park on inclines and to always leave the vehicle in first gear (manual) or in Park (automatic) as an extra safety measure.
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