Ford recalls Transit vehicles in southern Africa over transmission fault

By ETimes

HARARE – FORD Motor Company of Southern Africa has recalled certain 2026 model-year Transit vehicles across five countries due to a transmission defect that could cause a sudden loss of forward or reverse movement, the COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission said on Monday.

The voluntary recall, first communicated through South Africa’s National Consumer Commission, covers Ford Transit, Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom vehicles equipped with an 8F57 automatic transmission.

According to the regulator, the transmission may contain an Electronic One-Way Clutch Assembly built with an “unseated snap ring” – a flaw that could result in the vehicle failing to move forward due to a loss of first gear, or losing the ability to operate in reverse.

Affected vehicles were sold in South Africa between Oct. 7, 2025, and June 9, 2026, and were also exported to Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, the supplier said.

“The Commission has become aware of a recall affecting certain Ford Vehicles supplied by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa,” the COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission said in a consumer alert issued July 20.

The regulator warned the general public across the Common Market of the dangers related to the recalled vehicles and advised owners to contact the nearest authorized Ford dealership for inspection and repair at no cost.

“Consumers who own the affected models [should] contact the nearest dealership to crosscheck and confirm whether their vehicles are among the recalled vehicles, secure repair services at no cost and seek any other redress,” the Commission said.

While Eswatini was the only COMESA member state explicitly named in the recall, the Commission noted that various Ford brands, including the recalled models, are also traded in several other member states.

The Commission said it continues to work closely with Ford and member states to ensure affected consumers are informed and provided with necessary redress.