Vehicle recall alert: Nissan, Toyota and Lexus owners urged to book free safety inspections

South African motorists driving selected Nissan, Toyota and Lexus models are being encouraged to act promptly after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) announced new safety recalls affecting hundreds of vehicles across the country.

While vehicle recalls are a routine part of the automotive industry, they play a critical role in preventing mechanical failures before they become serious safety risks. The latest notice covers specific Nissan Qashqai SUVs, Toyota Land Cruiser 300 models and Lexus LX600 vehicles sold through authorised dealerships.

Nissan expands Qashqai recall campaign

Nissan South Africa has recalled an additional 314 Nissan Qashqai SUVs, adding to an earlier recall campaign launched in October 2025 that already involved 1,688 vehicles.

According to the manufacturer, engineers identified a potential issue involving the fuel pipe inside the engine compartment. During normal driving, the fuel pipe could shift within its retaining clip, gradually wearing against surrounding components. Over time, this wear could create a hole in the pipe, allowing fuel to leak.

The company has now introduced what it describes as a permanent repair, replacing the temporary solution implemented during the previous recall campaign.

The affected Nissan Qashqai vehicles were sold between 4 May 2021 and 17 September 2024.

Toyota and Lexus recalls linked to engine manufacturing issue

Toyota has also notified the NCC that 507 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 vehicles are affected by a separate recall.

At the same time, 124 Lexus LX600 vehicles have been recalled. Besides South Africa, some of the affected Lexus models were exported to Botswana and Namibia.

The problem relates to the V35A engine, where tiny machining particles may not have been completely removed during the manufacturing process. If this debris remains inside the engine, it can contaminate the crankshaft main bearings responsible for allowing the crankshaft to rotate smoothly.

As the engine continues operatingparticularly under heavier loadsthe contaminated bearings may deteriorate. Drivers could notice symptoms such as:

• Engine knocking
• Rough engine performance
• Difficulty starting the vehicle
• Unexpected engine stalling

A stalled engine while travelling at higher speeds can result in a sudden loss of driving power, increasing the risk of a collision.

The affected Toyota Land Cruiser 300 vehicles were sold between 13 December 2022 and 7 May 2024, while the affected Lexus LX600 models were sold between 15 December 2022 and 7 May 2024.

What owners should do

The NCC is urging anyone who owns one of the affected vehicles not to ignore the recall notice.

Owners should contact or visit their nearest authorised Nissan or Toyota dealership to arrange a vehicle inspection. Any required repairs will be completed free of charge, ensuring the vehicles meet the manufacturer’s latest safety standards.

Vehicle recalls are precautionary measures and do not necessarily mean every affected vehicle has developed a fault. However, responding quickly helps reduce the likelihood of future mechanical problems and improves road safety for everyone.

Consumers seeking additional information about the recalls can contact the National Consumer Commission via [email protected].

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