JPJ suspends Chery Omoda 5 approval, new registrations after rear axle incident in Johor Bahru

The Licensing Department (JPJ) has temporarily suspended the issuance of the Chery Omoda 5's Type Approval Certificate (VTA) following a recent incident in Johor where the vehicle's rear axle detached. JPJ Chairman Aedy Fadly Ramli explained that this precautionary measure was taken to address potential safety concerns associated with the model and its variants.

JPJ will conduct a technical audit of the production and assembly process of Chery Omoda 5, as well as the rear axle component manufacturers, focusing on adherence to good maintenance practices, quality control systems, wheel nut tightening procedures, and the safety standards of the used components. The Chairman stated that Chery Malaysia must identify all potentially problematic vehicles based on component numbers, production batches, Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), and relevant technical parameters.

The recall should encompass all vehicles identified as risky, followed by thorough inspections and necessary corrective actions. JPJ emphasized that the suspension would only be lifted once all corrective measures have been fully implemented and the safety risk has been confirmed. The department stresses that there will be no compromise on the safety standards for road users.

Vehicle manufacturers are accountable for ensuring that every vehicle marketed meets safety standards and technical requirements. The incident, which gained attention on social media in October 2023, involved a Chery Omoda 5 with detached rear wheels near the AEON Mall Tebrau City. In April 2024, a similar rear axle failure incident involving the same model prompted JPJ's investigation, leading to 600 units of the Chery Omoda 5 being recalled by Chery Malaysia.