Hyundai Motor Co. and three other major car manufacturers would recall a total of 44,967 cars of 39 car models. This is the latest in a series of recalls by automakers operating in the country due to manufacturing defects in vehicles made and sold in South Korea.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) said that it would take corrective action due to component problems found in vehicles manufactured and sold in the country. The ministry confirmed models from Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, Toyota Korea, and Mercedes-Benz Korea to have issues.
The MOLIT requires manufacturers to notify car owners of defect correction method through mobile phone text, and mail. If by chance, the owner already repaired the defect at his/her own expense before the carmaker rectified the issue, the car owner could apply to the company for repair cost compensation.
According to the government, it would recall nonconformities first in auto safety standards. However, it would impose fines on consideration of future correction rates.
Total Number of Recalls
The ministry said that 25,113 units of Hyundai Motors’ three models, including the Sonata, manufactured and sold here, and 3,758 cars of Kia’s K5 model lack braking control. The ministry found software errors in remote parking assistance systems installed in the vehicles causing accidents during remote parking.
The Korean unit of Toyota found 4,686 cars of 23 models, including the Lexus RX450h model, to have operation malfunctions in the fuel pump. The confirmed cars have defects in several parts of their fuel pump, leading to the engine shutting off while driving.
Toyota said it would replace the defective vehicles with new ones with improved parts free of charge. Car owners could apply for eligibility at Toyota Motor Korea’s official service center starting from April 29.
8,163 cars of 12 models, including the GLK220 model, imported and sold by Mercedes-Benz Korea, could likely cause injuries to drivers due to their airbags exploding excessive pressure when inflating.
Mercedes-Benz Korea said that, from April 16, it would repair the vehicles free of charge at its official service center.
