“Sleek interior but physically weak” verdict after Chery Omada suffers 2nd rear axle break disaster

THE phrase “the wheels come off the wagon” means that a situation, plan, organisation or process starts to fail, break down or lose control suddenly and completely.

In a literal application of the phrase, images of a Chery Omoda sports utility vehicle (SUV) sans rear axle and wheels have sent shivers down the spines of motorists everywhere.

Apparently, the vehicle was pictured in this disembowelled state near AEON Mall Tebrau City in Johor Bahru on Tuesday (Oct 6).

The fact that the rear axle and wheels were no longer attached to vehicle chassis is on its own bad enough advertising for the automotive brand headquartered in Wuhu, Anhui Province of China.

But seriously uncomfortable questions are being asked by concerned motorists over the perceived safety of this particular model as a similar incident occurred in 2024.

It is not just social media netizens who are asking if this car has pertinent issues linked to the rear axle but motoring journalists as well.

Recall that an Omoda 5 owner in Malaysia reported a rear axle failure while driving. Chery subsequently brought the vehicle in for inspection and launched an investigation in April 2024.

The company, according to Carz Automedia , eventually traced the problem back to its parts vendor . According to Chery Auto Malaysia’s official investigation, a worn tip on an automated welding machine had been replaced during a facility upgrade.

The replacement resulted in the equipment becoming mis-calibrated, thus affecting rear axle components produced during that period.

The motorist who apparently first posted the photos of the recent stricken Chery in JB also took aim at the marque, claiming it is unsafe and not fit for purpose.

He added that his mother’s three-decade old Proton Saga would not have its rear axle suddenly disengage leaving its occupants in such a perilous position.

The news was also shared among concerned owners on the relevant forums such as the Chery Omoda 5 community Malaysia. Suffice to say, the news went down like a lead balloon with owners expressing concern over the viability of the vehicle’s safety.

One seasoned driver sarcastically remarked on the Good Time’s FB post that this was nothing to worry about. What was important was a high-tech interior.

There was plenty of conjecture in the many posts on the incident. One motorist quite rightly pointed out that too many questions remain unanswered such as whether the car had been properly maintained or involved in a prior accident which could have caused serious damage to the chassis and rear axle.

Note that there is nothing to link the two incidents. There is no evidence suggesting that a similar fault caused the latest calamity.

But it can be agreed that it is NOT a great look. A SUV’s axle and wheels are never meant to be apart from the chassis.

This might just become the defining image of Chery vehicles in Malaysia lest some serious damage limitation is undertaken. Given that perceptions of vehicle safety are paramount, Chery will need to engage in some serious PR (public relations) exercise to repair its dented image.

Editor’s note: The Chery Omoda 5 in Malaysia is locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom assembly plant located in Kulim, Kedah .

Chery Malaysia has yet to comment on this latest incident. The longer the silence, the louder the noise, conjecture and misinformation on social media. – Oct 9, 2026

The post “Sleek interior but physically weak” verdict after Chery Omada suffers 2nd rear axle break disaster first appeared on Focus Malaysia .