Chery recalls 8,878 Omoda 5s in Malaysia over rear axle welds

A rear axle quality problem with Chery's Omoda 5 is back in the spotlight. Chery Auto Malaysia has recalled 8,878 pre-facelift Omoda 5s in a campaign launched in October 2026. The recall covers gasoline versions in C and H trims.

Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) has also temporarily suspended the type approval for these vehicles pending completion of an investigation and safety assessment. The decision blocks new registrations under that approval, but it does not amount to a ban on all Chery models. The moves followed an incident on Oct. 6 in Johor Bahru in which an Omoda 5's rear axle came loose.

How does it differ from the 2024 inspection?

The problem first surfaced in April 2024 with a rear axle failure reported in Malaysia. At the time, Chery called in 600 vehicles assembled at the Inokom plant between Aug. 14 and 17, 2023, for precautionary inspection. According to the company's statement dated May 4, 2024, faulty parts produced on Aug. 15 had been fitted to 60 vehicles. The cause was attributed to a supplier failing to recalibrate its equipment after replacing an automated welding tip, resulting in insufficient weld penetration. A separate campaign covering 420 Omoda 5 1.5T Z and RZ units was also carried out in Indonesia the same year.

In the new campaign, Chery says a technical review found that welds at the trailing arm joints of the rear axle in affected production batches may not be strong enough. This creates a risk of the weld fracturing under loads generated while the vehicle is in operation. Although the description differs from the 2024 statement, it remains unclear whether the two problems share the same root cause. The company also has not publicly explained why the scope of the campaign expanded so significantly.

What owners need to know

Owners will be eligible for a free inspection and, if necessary, parts replacement. Chery is not saying that every vehicle will receive a new axle. The company said it will contact owners and that the first shipment of replacement parts has been sent to authorized service centers.

The recalled vehicles combine a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, a CVT transmission and a welded torsion beam rear axle. The facelifted Chery O5, launched in Malaysia in September 2025, and the electric Omoda E5 use an independent multi-link rear suspension and are not part of the campaign. According to published specifications, gasoline Omoda 5s in Europe are also offered with a 1.6-liter turbo engine and multi-link rear suspension. However, Chery says it is also screening vehicles in other export markets that share parts from the affected production batches; the campaign's scope will be determined by the identified vehicles and parts rather than by model name.