The recall includes Land Rover Defender and Discovery models as well as Range Rover variants and the Jaguar F-PACE
Image: Supplied
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has welcomed the latest vehicle recall issued by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), but warned that it highlights the critical importance of maintaining high safety standards across the motor industry and ensuring recall campaigns are properly managed.
The recall affects several Jaguar Land Rover models built between 2024 and 2026 that are fitted with the AJ20-D6 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine. A defect could cause an engine oil leak, creating a serious hazard for other road users, particularly motorcyclists.
MISA said every vehicle recall serves as a reminder of the vital role technicians play in protecting public safety.
"Any defect that compromises road safety must be treated with urgency. MISA believes that every recall is a reminder of the vital role workers play in maintaining safety standards. Every technician who performs a recall repair is contributing to safer roads and stronger public confidence in our sector," said Martlé Keyter, MISA's Chief Executive Officer: Operations.
The union called on employers throughout the motor industry to support technicians during recall campaigns by providing adequate training, resources and recognition. It said manufacturers, workers and consumers all have a shared responsibility to ensure South Africa's roads remain safe while maintaining confidence in the automotive sector.
According to the NCC, the defect involves the Front-End Auxiliary Drive (FEAD) belt idler pulley fitted to certain AJ20-D6 engines.
The commission said the pulley can over-rotate after experiencing a high-torsion input, causing it to strike and damage the engine's oil pressure and temperature sensor. If the sensor is damaged, engine oil may leak onto the road surface, creating a slip hazard for other motorists, especially riders of two-wheeled vehicles.
The recall affects the Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar, which were sold in South Africa between March 2024 and April 2026.
Owners of affected vehicles have been urged to contact their nearest authorised Jaguar Land Rover dealership to arrange a free inspection and replacement of the FEAD idler pulley.
The latest action follows another Jaguar Land Rover recall involving Defender, Discovery and Range Rover models manufactured between 2020 and 2027.
It also forms part of a broader surge in vehicle safety recalls overseen by the NCC in recent months. More than 40,000 vehicles have been recalled in South Africa so far this year, involving manufacturers including Toyota, Lexus, Volkswagen, MG, Ford, Hyundai and Jeep. The recalls have covered defects ranging from faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and malfunctioning windscreen wipers to seatbelt anchorage faults and battery overheating risks.
Earlier this year, the NCC also recalled certain Land Rover Defender and Jaguar I-PACE models over separate safety concerns. These included a third-row seatbelt anchorage bracket fitted with a weld stud that may not meet required strength specifications, as well as a high-voltage traction battery fault in the Jaguar I-PACE that could result in thermal overload and, in rare cases, smoke or fire. As an interim precaution, affected I-PACE owners were advised to limit battery charging to 90% until repairs could be completed.
MISA said the growing number of recall campaigns should not be viewed solely as a reputational challenge for vehicle manufacturers, but also as an opportunity to recognise the skilled technicians responsible for carrying out critical safety repairs.
The union urged employers, workers and consumers to treat recalls as a shared responsibility that ultimately helps improve road safety and strengthens public confidence in the automotive industry.
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