CAPE TOWN, Dec. 8 — SouthAfrica‘s National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced product recalls affecting Jeep Wrangler vehicles and several Kia models, following notifications from the respective suppliers. In a statement issued Monday, the NCC said that Stellantis SouthAfrica is recalling 323 Jeep Wrangler vehicles sold nationally between 2016 and 2018. According to the supplier, dust inside the clockspring could compromise the airbag circuit, leading to illumination of the airbag warning light or “a non-deployment of the driver’s airbag during a crash.” The NCC said Kia SouthAfrica has also reported a recall of 18,600 vehicles across five models, namely the Sportage (SL, KM), Sorento (XM), Optima (TF), Cerato (TD), and Soul (AM). These models were sold in South Africa between 2009 and 2015. According to Kia, the vehicles require an ABS fuse replacement, and the defect “may result in the malfunction of the ABS system, which could increase the vehicle’s stopping distance to a standstill and, in some cases, lead to engine bay damage.” The commission urged affected consumers to act promptly, saying, “Consumers who are affected by these recalls are urged to take these recalls seriously and arrange for the necessary inspections and repairs at any authorized dealership without delay to ensure their safety.” Repairs will be carried out at no cost to vehicle owners, the NCC added.
(Xinhua)
