More than 2,600 Omoda C5 vehicles are being recalled in South Africa over a potential manufacturing defect that could cause the rear axle to separate, resulting in suspension collapse and increasing the risk of an accident.
The recall, announced by Chery Group South Africa and confirmed by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), affects 2,685 Omoda C5 vehicles produced between June 2022 and December 2023, forming part of a wider recall involving more than 23,000 Chery and Omoda vehicles.
According to the manufacturer, the problem relates to possible welding irregularities between the rear axle trailing arm and sleeve. In extreme and rare circumstances, the weld could fail, causing the components to separate and potentially affecting the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.
Chery said: “The campaign relates to a rear axle manufacturing issue that may affect the weld between the rear axle trailing arm and sleeve on some vehicles. In extreme and rare circumstances, the weld could fail and separate, which could affect wheel control and increase the risk of an accident.”
The company has stressed that not every vehicle included in the recall has a defective axle.
“These vehicles are being recalled as a precautionary measure, and inclusion in the campaign does not mean that every vehicle has a defective rear axle,” it said.
The affected Omoda C5 vehicles were made available for sale in South Africa between February 2023 and July 2026, according to the recall information provided to the NCC.
The recall also affects 17,508 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro vehicles, bringing the total number of vehicles affected by the rear-axle campaign to 20,193.
A separate recall involves 3,474 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 vehicles manufactured from 20 May 2026. In these vehicles, the front brake pipe may come into contact with the turbocharger assembly, resulting in wear that could cause brake-fluid leakage and reduced braking performance.
The NCC has urged affected consumers to take the recall seriously and contact authorised dealerships for inspections and necessary repairs.
Chery has confirmed that the complete rear axle will be replaced where necessary, at no cost to customers. Replacement parts are available locally, and the company says repairs will be prioritised.
Owners can check whether their vehicles are affected by entering their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the Chery South Africa Owners Area at www.chery.co.za/owners-area or through the Omoda recall checker at www.omoda.co.za/owners/active-care.
The recall comes after an October incident in Malaysia in which an Omoda 5’s rear axle reportedly detached while the vehicle was being driven. The incident prompted scrutiny of the model’s safety and a wider recall in China.
In South Africa, the NCC has also disclosed that it launched a separate investigation in October 2026 following allegations that certain previous Chery vehicle recalls had been conducted without notifying the commission. That investigation remains ongoing.
The commission’s Acting Commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu, has urged consumers to respond to recall notices, emphasising the importance of addressing potential safety defects.
The recall highlights the responsibility of vehicle manufacturers to ensure that products sold to consumers meet safety standards and that potential defects are communicated and addressed promptly.
Chery said the affected models are no longer being produced and that current models on sale in South Africa are not part of the identified production batch.
