VW recalls 291 Amarok bakkies over curtain airbag fault

Volkswagen is recalling 291 Amarok bakkies in South Africa after identifying a problem that could affect the deployment of the curtain airbags during a crash. The affected vehicles were sold between 2 June and 15 September 2026, according to a recall notice published by the National Consumer Commission on 5 October.

The issue is linked to components around the curtain airbag. In certain crash situations, the airbag can come into contact with an interior component as it deploys. That can prevent the airbag from deploying fully.

The problem is inside the airbag system

The curtain airbags sit along the roof area of the Amarok and are designed to deploy during certain front or side impacts. Volkswagen found that the airbag can make contact with another component as it opens. The recall notice also identifies a second concern involving the airbag guide system. Some sharp edged plastic parts could become loose.

If the airbag does not deploy as intended, or if parts around the system become loose during deployment, there is a potential for increased injury to people inside the vehicle. The problem does not mean that the airbags will fail every time there is an accident. It means there is a possibility that the system will not work as designed under the conditions described in the recall.

Which Amaroks are affected?

The recall covers 291 vehicles sold in South Africa during the specified period. That means the notice does not apply to every Amarok currently on the road. Owners who bought an Amarok between 2 June and 15 September 2026 can contact a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer to establish whether their vehicle is part of the affected group. The dealer can check the vehicle against Volkswagen's recall information and advise the owner on the required work.

Volkswagen will carry out the repair

Owners will not have to pay for the recall work. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the affected parts and carry out the necessary repair or replacement. For owners who receive a recall notification, the repair should be handled through the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer network rather than through an independent repairer. The recall concerns specific components and procedures identified by the manufacturer.

Owners should also make sure their contact details are up to date with Volkswagen so that any further communication about the vehicle can reach them.

Why the recall has been issued

Vehicle recalls are normally issued when a manufacturer identifies a fault that could affect safety, reliability or the operation of a vehicle. In this case, the issue is directly connected to the restraint system. The Amarok's curtain airbags are part of the vehicle's protection system. They are designed to deploy quickly in a crash and provide additional protection around the head and upper body.

A problem with the way an airbag deploys is therefore treated differently from a fault involving something such as trim, infotainment or other non-safety equipment. The number of vehicles involved is also relatively small compared with the number of Amaroks on South African roads. The recall is limited to the vehicles identified by Volkswagen as being affected.

What Amarok owners should do

If you own an Amarok that was bought during the affected period, the first step is to check whether your vehicle is included. Owners can contact a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer and provide the vehicle's details for a recall check. If the vehicle is affected, the required work will be carried out at no cost.

The National Consumer Commission's recall notice confirms that 291 Amarok vehicles are affected in South Africa. The notice does not suggest that all Amarok models have the same issue. For owners, the important detail is therefore the specific vehicle rather than the Amarok nameplate as a whole.