Hyundai Santa Fe, Fire Risk Due to Internal Short Circuit... 180,000 Units of 2 Models Recalled

Kia, Benz, Stellantis, GM, Ford, and 7 Other Companies Recall Over 220,000 Vehicles Across 14 Models

Santa Fe

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 1st that a total of 222,138 units across 14 models manufactured or imported and sold by Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Korea, Stellantis Korea, GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters, GM Korea, and Ford Sales Service Korea have been found to have manufacturing defects and will undergo voluntary corrective action (recall).

A total of 185,523 units of 2 models, including the Santa Fe, manufactured and sold by Hyundai Motor Company, were confirmed to have a possibility of fire due to an internal short circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).

For 125 units of 2 models of the Avante N, it was confirmed that due to a defective attachment process of the steering wheel emblem (H mark), the emblem may detach during airbag deployment, potentially causing injury to the driver, leading to a voluntary recall.

From August 31, owners of the Santa Fe and other 2 models, and from September 6, owners of the Avante N and other 2 models can receive free repairs (replacement with improved parts) at Hyundai Motor Company's High-Tech Center and Blue Hands service centers, respectively.

A total of 24,990 units of 2 models, including the All-New Sorento, manufactured and sold by Kia, were found to have a manufacturing defect in the transmission lever lock device, allowing gear changes without pressing the brake pedal while stationary, which may affect safety.

These vehicles can be repaired free of charge (inspection and parts replacement) at Kia's direct service centers starting September 1.

E 300 e 4MATIC

A total of 7,845 units of 3 models, including the E 300 e 4MATIC, imported and sold by Mercedes-Benz Korea, were found to have damaged transmission wiring due to interference with the front drive shaft, which may cause the transmission to malfunction and affect safety.

These vehicles can be repaired free of charge (inspection and repair) at official Mercedes-Benz Korea service centers starting September 2.

A total of 1,963 units of the Jeep Cherokee, imported and sold by Stellantis Korea, were found by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's Vehicle Safety Research Institute to have fuel leakage caused by wear due to insufficient durability of the high-pressure fuel pump, which may cause engine stalling due to fuel supply failure.

These vehicles can be repaired free of charge (replacement with improved parts) at official Stellantis Korea service centers starting September 5.

Escalade

A total of 1,202 units of 2 models, including the Escalade, imported and sold by GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and GM Korea (including pre-sale units), were found to have assembly defects in the third-row seatbelt buckle, causing the buckle to detach and potentially failing to protect occupants in a collision, affecting safety.

These vehicles have been undergoing free repairs (inspection and parts replacement) at official service centers of GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters and GM Korea since August 31.

A total of 311 units of the Bronco, imported and sold by Ford Sales Service Korea (including pre-sale units), were found to have defective assembly of the rear door lock, causing the child safety lock to malfunction and the door to open from inside, which may affect safety.

Bronco

A total of 179 units of the Aviator (including pre-sale units) were found to have manufacturing defects in the power headrest, causing the headrest to detach from the seat, potentially causing injury to occupants in a collision.

These vehicles can be repaired free of charge (replacement with improved parts) at official Ford Sales Service Korea service centers starting September 8.

Regarding this recall, each manufacturer will notify vehicle owners of the corrective measures via mail and mobile text messages. If vehicle owners have repaired the defect at their own expense before the recall, they can apply for compensation from the manufacturer for the repair costs.

For further inquiries, detailed information and guidance can be obtained by contacting each manufacturer.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport operates the Vehicle Recall Center, which collects and analyzes vehicle manufacturing defect information. By entering the vehicle number and chassis number on the website, owners can check at any time whether their vehicle is subject to recall and view specific manufacturing defect details.

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