Recall of 233,557 Vehicles Including Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and McLaren

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 7th that a total of 233,577 vehicles across 9 models manufactured or imported and sold by Kia Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company, Volkswagen Group Korea Co., Ltd., Mercedes-Benz Korea Co., Ltd., and Kiheung International Co., Ltd. have been found to have manufacturing defects and will undergo voluntary corrective measures (recalls).

A total of 164,525 K7 vehicles manufactured and sold by Kia Corporation were found to have poor adhesion of the front windshield glass, which may cause the glass to detach during a collision, potentially injuring occupants. These vehicles can receive free repairs (inspection and repair) at Kia Corporation service centers starting from the 8th.

A total of 64,013 GV80 vehicles manufactured and sold by Hyundai Motor Company were found, through a self-certification conformity investigation by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Automotive Safety Research Institute, to have a software error in the tire pressure warning system. This defect causes the warning light not to illuminate even when tire pressure is low during driving, which does not meet safety standards. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will first allow the manufacturer to voluntarily conduct corrective measures (recalls) and plans to impose fines later based on the correction rate.

Additionally, 3,354 Nexo vehicles were found to have a software error in the integrated control unit that fails to meet safety standards by not illuminating the warning light for a sufficient duration when the rear seatbelt is unfastened. Similarly, the manufacturer will first conduct voluntary corrective measures (recalls), with fines to be imposed later considering the correction rate.

Furthermore, 654 Nexo vehicles have insufficient strength in internal parts of the hydrogen charging port (charging socket filter), which may be damaged during hydrogen refueling, causing hydrogen gas leakage and potentially compromising safety. Voluntary corrective measures (recalls) will be initiated.

GV80 vehicles can receive free repairs (software updates, etc.) at Hyundai Motor Company’s direct service centers and Blue Hands (Nexo at hydrogen vehicle dedicated Blue Hands) starting from the 11th and 15th, respectively.

A total of 966 Golf A7 1.4 TSI BMT vehicles (including pre-sale units) imported and sold by Volkswagen Group Korea Co., Ltd. have a defect in the fastening of the fuel rail bolts, causing fuel leakage and potential fire risk. These vehicles can receive free repairs (part repairs) at Volkswagen Group Korea Co., Ltd.’s official service centers starting from the 11th.

A total of 29 vehicles across 4 models, including the S 400 d 4MATIC, imported and sold by Mercedes-Benz Korea Co., Ltd. were found to have improper tightening of the airbag control unit bolts, which may cause unintended airbag deployment during driving or failure to deploy during an accident, violating safety standards. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will first allow the importer to voluntarily conduct corrective measures (recalls) and plans to impose fines later based on the correction rate. These vehicles can receive free repairs (part repairs) at Mercedes-Benz Korea Co., Ltd.’s official service centers starting from the 8th.

A total of 16 McLaren GT vehicles imported and sold by Kiheung International Co., Ltd. have a defect in the connection of the airbag control unit connector, which may cause the airbag to fail to deploy during an accident, potentially injuring occupants. Voluntary corrective measures (recalls) will be initiated. These vehicles can receive free repairs (part repairs) at Kiheung International Co., Ltd.’s official service centers nationwide starting from the 8th.

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