The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has announced the recall of selected Mercedes-Benz trucks and Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles after defects were identified that could increase the risk of crashes and vehicle fires.

The recalls affect 153 Mercedes-Benz trucks and 141 Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles sold in South Africa.

ALSO READ | Toyota Urban Cruiser recall issued over fuel gauge fault

Mercedes-Benz steering defect

The NCC said Daimler Truck Southern Africa Limited is recalling certain Mercedes-Benz Atego 967, Actros 963, Arocs 964 and eActros 983 trucks sold nationwide from 2022 onwards.

The recall follows a self-disclosure by supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG, which identified a potential manufacturing defect in the ball joints fitted to the steering components.

According to the commission, some steering components may not have undergone the required hardening process during manufacturing, leaving them susceptible to premature wear.

Over time, the steering components could weaken and fracture, particularly during low-speed manoeuvres that require high steering force.

“If this occurs, the vehicle may no longer be steerable, and there would be a risk of accident,” the NCC said.

ALSO READ | NCC announces recall of Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX600 models

Alfa Romeo fire risk

The second recall affects Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles fitted with 1.5-litre engines that were sold nationwide between March 2022 and March 2026.

The NCC said the vehicles could suffer engine damage caused by bent or broken connecting rods resulting from engine misfires.

“In the worst case, this could cause a fire in the vehicle while driving.”

To correct the problem, dealers will update the engine control module software.

Owners urged to book repairs

Owners of affected Mercedes-Benz trucks and Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles have been urged to contact their nearest authorised Daimler Truck or Stellantis dealership for an inspection.

All repairs and software updates will be carried out free of charge.

ALSO READ | Ford recalls Transit and Tourneo vehicles over transmission fault

Latest in a series of recalls

The latest recalls follow a string of vehicle safety notices issued by the NCC in recent months.

Last week, the commission recalled more than 2 000 Toyota Urban Cruiser vehicles after a manufacturing defect was found that could cause the fuel gauge to display incorrect fuel levels, increasing the risk of motorists running out of fuel unexpectedly.

Earlier, the NCC also announced recalls involving selected Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Lexus LX600 models over defects that could result in fuel leaks or engine failure.

It also warned owners of certain 2026 Ford Transit, Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom vehicles to return them to dealerships after a transmission fault was identified that could cause a sudden loss of vehicle movement.

The commission has urged motorists to respond promptly to recall notices, saying they are issued to reduce safety risks and ensure vehicles remain safe to operate.