Tiny car, big trouble: New recall hits 1 393 vehicles in South Africa over safety flaw
This urgent software recall highlights ongoing safety concerns for South Africa’s most affordable tiny hatchback.
Motus Vehicles Distributor has initiated a recall of 1 393 Renault Kwid units sold in South Africa from 20 January 2026 due to a software defect.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) warned on 2 Ferbruary 2026 that the tiny five-seater passenger vehicles might experience velocity calculation errors, triggering dashboard warning lights and potentially compromising system performance.
While no affected vehicles are currently in consumers’ hands, Motus will update the software before releasing them.
Kwid’s problematic safety history
This latest snag adds to the Kwid’s controversial history in the local market. Unlike the Clio or Twingo, the Indian-built Kwid is cost-optimised for emerging markets and carries a poor two-star Global NCAP safety rating.
Experts have long warned that the vehicle’s unstable bodyshell and lack of Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) make it a risky choice compared to used alternatives like the VW Polo Vivo.
Recent vehicle recalls: South Africa motoring sector rocked
This action follows a wave of massive safety alerts impacting South African drivers. Stellantis recently expanded its Takata airbag recall to include 26 models across Citroën, Jeep, and Opel, citing inflators that could explode and project metal fragments.
Meanwhile, in late 2025, Kia South Africa recalled 18 600 units for ABS fuse defects, and BMW flagged over 12 000 cars for fire risks.
Even recent entries like the MG3 have faced scrutiny over seat mechanisms, proving that budget pricing shouldn’t compromise structural integrity.
Kwid buyers are urged to confirm software updates are finalised before taking delivery to ensure their tiny runaround meets basic safety standards.