[2020 National Audit] What's the Use of 'Recall'... 2.27 Million Unrecalled Vehicles Roaming the Streets

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Although recall measures (correction of manufacturing defects) are being activated when defects are found after vehicle production, it has been revealed that 2.27 million vehicles are still running on the roads without having undergone recalls.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Kim Eun-hye, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the People Power Party, among a total of 8,212,159 vehicles for which recalls were decided from 2017 to the first half of this year, only 72.4% (5,944,080 vehicles) have actually been recalled. Despite defects being found, 2,268,079 vehicles (27.6%) have yet to receive recalls.

In particular, considering that the usual recall period is 1 year and 6 months, among 4,618,669 vehicles for which recalls were decided before 2018, 588,967 vehicles (12.8%) have not been recalled at all.

The recall system is a system in which manufacturers/assemblers/importers repair or replace defects when a vehicle does not meet safety standards or has defects that interfere with safe operation. In other words, vehicles that have been decided for recall but have not been repaired are driving with a high risk of accidents.

Kim Eun-hye, Member of the People Power Party (Provided by Kim Eun-hye's Office)

Assemblywoman Kim Eun-hye pointed out, "The reason for such a low recall correction rate lies in the system." Although the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport receives reports on recall implementation rates from manufacturers, there are no separate sanctions even if the implementation rate is low, so manufacturers do not feel the need to actively carry out recall measures that involve costs.

In fact, vehicles such as Hyundai Motor's Avante AD and Mercedes-Benz's E300 have experienced recall delays due to parts supply issues despite recall decisions, and some manufacturers only accept recalls during weekday business hours, making it difficult for consumers to access.

Assemblywoman Kim said, "In overseas cases, penalties are imposed on manufacturers if recalls are not carried out promptly, but in Korea, this is not the case, causing moral hazard," and added, "Since recall decisions are caused by manufacturers' faults, it is necessary to introduce penalties for delayed recall implementation to fulfill producers' responsibility and prevent accidents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.