VW Recalls 271 Polo Sedans Over Critical Seat Belt Defect in South Africa

A string of safety recalls has put Volkswagen on high alert and 271 Polo Sedans are now part of the growing list.

If you’ve bought a VW Polo Sedan in South Africa any time since August 2022, you might want to check in with your dealership, urgently.

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has issued yet another vehicle recall, this time affecting 271 Polo Sedans due to faulty seat belts that pose a serious safety risk. The company alerted the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to the issue, which involves seat belt components that may fail in a crash, significantly increasing the risk of severe or fatal injury.

This marks VW’s fifth recall this year, and the second for the Polo Sedan in just one week.

What’s the Fault?

According to VW and the NCC, the problem lies with the rear seat belts, particularly the right-side seat belt, which may have been incorrectly fitted during assembly. An earlier batch of 18 vehicles was also flagged for a seat belt webbing mix-up, further compromising passenger safety.

The latest recall covers 253 units, while the earlier batch involved 18 vehicles, all sold in South Africa.

In both cases, the seat belts may fail to properly restrain passengers, especially in the rear seats, during a crash. The NCC has labelled this a “safety-critical” defect, urging affected motorists not to delay inspections.

What Should You Do If You Own One?

The NCC is clear: if you suspect your vehicle might be affected, contact any VWSA-approved dealership immediately. Inspections and repairs will be done at no cost to the owner.

“These recalls are safety critical; therefore, it is imperative for the consumers to respond with urgency,” said NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba.

Inspections will include both rear seat belts. If a problem is found, parts will be replaced at VW’s expense.

A Troubling Trend: VW’s 2025 Recall Record

This latest alert is part of a growing list of quality control issues for VW in South Africa this year:

• 13 June 2025: VW recalled 150 cars (142 Polo hatchbacks and 8 Taigo crossovers) due to a front passenger airbag gas generator defect that could prevent airbags from deploying — or worse, explode and cause deadly injuries.

• 10 July 2025: Another 159 Golf models (TSI, GTI, and R) were recalled because of improper seat belt stitching, which could fail under stress.

• May 2025: 905 Polo Sedans were recalled for rear seat belt latch plates that were manufactured with insufficient hardness, leading to reduced crash protection.

Public Concern and Safety First

The string of recalls has raised eyebrows across social media, with some drivers asking whether VW’s quality control is slipping.

“Every week it’s another Polo,” one X (formerly Twitter) user posted. “I just hope they’re serious about fixing this before something tragic happens.”

Others have applauded the transparency and responsiveness of both the NCC and VWSA, but the growing list of affected vehicles is hard to ignore.

If You Own a VW Polo Sedan Made After August 2022…

• Don’t wait for symptoms.

• Call your dealership and give them your VIN number.

• Book an inspection, it’s free.

• Get it fixed. This could save your life, or someone else’s.

As more South Africans hit the road this holiday season, ensuring your vehicle is safe isn’t just about compliance — it’s about responsibility. Whether it’s seat belts or airbags, manufacturers are obligated to fix their faults, and motorists have every right to demand safe transport.

This recall is a serious warning, but also a chance to prevent tragedy.