Chery Malaysia recalls Omoda 5 over VTA suspension caused by detached rear axle incident

Chery Auto Malaysia has addressed the incident involving a Chery Omoda 5 unit which had its rear axle detached from the chassis last week in Johor Bahru. According to Chery Auto Malaysia, it has been working closely with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) since the incident was first reported and will begin a recall campaign for the affected variants (C and H) to inspect and replace the component if necessary.

Chery Omoda 5 owners can verify whether their vehicles are affected by checking their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Chery website. Affected vehicles will undergo a comprehensive inspection and any necessary follow-up action, including the replacement of affected components free of charge.

Turning back the clock, an incident occurred in Johor Bahru last week in which the rear axle of a Chery Omoda 5 detached from its chassis. Shortly after the incident, JPJ issued a temporary suspension of the Chery Omoda 5’s Vehicle Type Approval (VTA), preventing any new registrations of the model until a technical investigation has been concluded and safety risks have been identified and addressed.

A statement from JPJ reads, “JPJ will also conduct a technical audit of the production line and assembly processes for the Chery Omoda 5, as well as the relevant axle component supplier. The audit will cover compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality control systems, weld joint inspection procedures, and the safety standards of the components used. This suspension will only be lifted once all corrective and preventive measures have been fully implemented and JPJ has provided technical confirmation that all safety risks have been adequately addressed.”

In 2024, Chery Malaysia recalled 600 Omoda 5 units after a rear axle detached while the vehicle was being driven, attributing the issue to a miscalibrated welding tip. Of these, 60 affected units were identified, and replacement appointments were arranged before the case was declared closed in June 2024. The discontinued Omoda 5 was replaced by the Chery O5 in September 2025, which features a multi-link rear suspension instead of a torsion beam.

Considering the potential risks involved, particularly if the component were to fail at higher speeds, it is recommended to avoid driving the Chery Omoda 5 on public roads, as this could endanger the driver, passengers and other road users. The safest course of action is to have the vehicle transported on a flatbed truck to an authorised Chery service centre for a thorough inspection.