171 Vehicle Models Recalled... Mercedes-Benz Provides Economic Compensation to E300 Owners for 'Fuel Efficiency Exaggeration' (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 25th that a total of 478,371 units across 171 vehicle models manufactured or imported and sold by Mercedes-Benz Korea, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors, Honda Korea, Ford Sales Service Korea, Audi Volkswagen Korea, Korea Nissan, Volvo Cars Korea, and BMW Korea have been found to have manufacturing defects and will undergo corrective actions (recalls).

A total of 29,769 units of the E 300 imported and sold by Mercedes-Benz Korea were found, according to the self-certification compliance investigation by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Automotive Safety Research Institute, to have an excessively displayed fuel consumption rate (fuel efficiency). Instead of a recall, the company decided to provide economic compensation to the owners.

Mercedes-Benz Korea plans to pay compensation to those who purchased or transferred the vehicles as used cars. The compensation amount is calculated based on the excessively displayed fuel efficiency (0.2 km/ℓ) × average annual mileage (20,000 km) × premium gasoline price.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to impose fines considering the progress of compensation in the future. Additionally, 252,065 units across 153 models, including the E 300 4MATIC, will be recalled due to errors in the emergency communication system (eCall) software.

The ministry explained that if the power supply to the communication device is temporarily interrupted due to a vehicle collision, the vehicle's location information may be incorrectly transmitted to the Mercedes-Benz emergency center, potentially delaying occupant rescue in the event of an accident.

Two models, including the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC, totaling 256 units, have a risk of fire due to wear caused by interference between the start motor's power supply wiring and the motor body, which may lead to a short circuit.

A recall has been decided for 189,974 units of two models, Tucson (TL) and Stinger (CK), manufactured and sold by Hyundai and Kia Motors, due to the possibility of fire caused by an internal short circuit in the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU).

A total of 2,799 units of the Accord imported and sold by Honda Korea may have a gap between the drive shaft and the dynamic damper (a device that reduces vibration) attached to the front drive shaft due to defective adhesive.

If saltwater seeps through this gap, the drive shaft may corrode and break, leading to a recall.

Ford Sales Service Korea's imported and sold 1,775 units of the Continental were found to have inadequate waterproofing of the transmission control unit connector, transmission control unit, and wiring connectors between the engine and transmission, allowing moisture ingress and potentially causing failure to start.

Audi Volkswagen Korea's imported and sold 922 units of two models, including the Arteon 2.0 TDI 4M, were found to have a component (suction jet pump) inside the auxiliary fuel tank installed at an inclined angle, causing the fuel gauge on the dashboard to display more fuel than actually remains in the tank.

A total of 396 units of the Pathfinder imported and sold by Korea Nissan may have brake lights that remain on during driving even without pressing the brake pedal after prolonged brake use, potentially hindering the safe operation of following vehicles.

Volvo Cars Korea's imported and sold 270 units of the XC40 are also subject to recall.

The ministry explained that the brake control unit is not properly fixed in these vehicles, so even when the brake pedal is pressed, the braking signal may not be transmitted to the brake control unit, potentially causing the brakes to fail to operate.

A total of 145 units across seven models, including the BMW 520i imported and sold by BMW Korea, were found to have weak rear drive shaft strength, posing a risk of drive shaft breakage during driving.

Vehicles subject to this recall can receive free repairs at the manufacturers' service centers. Manufacturers will notify owners of the corrective measures via postal mail and mobile text messages. If vehicle owners have repaired the defect at their own expense before the recall, they can apply for cost reimbursement from the manufacturer.

Detailed information regarding the recall can be found at the Automobile Recall Center (www.car.go.kr, ☎ 080-357-2500).

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