NKOMBO KACHEMBA
Lusaka
THE COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) has advised consumers in the COMESA region to exercise caution when purchasing recalled vehicles supplied by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and Toyota South Africa Motors.
The Commission says it has become aware of a voluntary recall involving several vehicle models, including Ford Ranger XLT, Wildtrak, Ford Puma and Hino 700 trucks, which were distributed in South Africa and may also be present in the Common Market.
According to a statement issued by director of consumer welfare and advocacy Steven Kamukama, the recall raises safety concerns that consumers across the 21-member regional bloc should take seriously.
Ford has recalled 438 units of certain 2025 Ranger XLT and Wildtrak models sold between February 18 and March 18, 2025.
The affected vehicles may experience failure of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, which could lead to a loss of engine power, particularly at low speeds, increasing the risk of accidents.
In addition, 26 units of 20232024 Ford Puma vehicles have been recalled due to improperly installed software in the restraint control module during a previous recall.
The defect could compromise the effectiveness of the airbag system in the event of a crash, raising the risk of injury.
Meanwhile, Toyota has recalled 58 Hino 700 series trucks sold between February and November 2025 due to a defect in the fuel pump housing.
The issue may cause cracks under high load, potentially resulting in fuel leaks.
The commission said vehicle owners may notice warning signs such as engine failure, reduced acceleration, vibration, or warning lights on dashboards, depending on the defect.
It has since urged consumers who own or intend to purchase these models to verify whether their vehicles are affected by
contacting authorised dealerships.
“The commission advises consumers to take caution when purchasing the recalled vehicles and to seek confirmation from authorised dealers,” Mr Kamukama said.
He added that affected consumers should take their vehicles for inspection and repair, which will be carried out at no cost.
The commission is working closely with the manufacturers, the National Consumer Commission and member states to ensure that all affected consumers are informed and provided with appropriate remedies.
