The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) has issued a warning to motorists across its 21 Member States, including Eswatini, following a voluntary product recall by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and Toyota SA Motors.
The recall affects several high-profile models, including the Ford Ranger XLT, Wildtrak, Ford Puma, and Hino 700 series vehicles.
With these models being widely distributed throughout the Common Market, the Commission has issued a statement urging consumers to exercise extreme caution and verify the safety status of their vehicles immediately.
Ford has recalled 438 units of the certain 2025 Ford Ranger XLT and Wildtrak models. These vehicles were made available for sale between 18 February 2025 and 18 March 2025.
According to the manufacturer, a defect in the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve may cause the component to fail. This failure typically results in a sudden loss of engine power (often at speeds below 24 kph), warning indicators such as the “check engine” light as well as engine vibration or failure to start.
The Commission warns that a sudden loss of power while driving significantly increases the risk of road accidents.
A smaller batch of 26 units of the 2023–2024 Ford Puma passenger vehicles is also under recall. These vehicles, sold between April 2022 and September 2023, were previously recalled for a software issue. However, it has been discovered that the Restraint Control Module (RCM) software may not have been correctly installed during previous dealership visits.
If left uncorrected, the vehicle’s restraint system (airbags and seatbelts) may not perform optimally during an accident, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
Toyota SA Motors has recalled 58 units of the Hino 700 series heavy vehicles sold between 4 February 2025 and 9 November 2025.
The defect involves an inappropriate surface treatment of the fuel pump housing during production. Under high-load conditions, cracks may develop in the housing, potentially leading to dangerous fuel leaks.
Pursuant to Regulation 66 of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations 2025, the Commission advises all owners of the affected series to contact their nearest authorized dealership immediately.
All necessary repair work related to these recalls will be carried out at no cost to the consumer and drivers should cross-check their VIN numbers with local dealerships to confirm if their specific unit is affected.
The Commission continues to work with Ford, Toyota, and Member States to ensure that all affected consumers are provided with necessary redress.
For more information, consumers can access the official notice via the National Consumer Commission (NCC) of South Africa or contact the COMESA Commission directly.