It has been revealed that tens of thousands of vehicles subject to recall orders due to serious safety defects, such as fire hazards or airbag malfunctions, are openly being traded in the domestic used car market. The actual scale is feared to be much larger if vehicles that have already been sold are included.

According to data submitted by Assemblyman Yoon Jaeok of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, based on information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a total of 2,205,545 vehicles had not undergone recall repairs from 2022 to June of this year, and among these, 62,382 vehicles were listed for sale as used cars.

Of these listed vehicles, 14,901 had not complied with recall orders related to fire risks. Among them, 1,741 were identified as BMW vehicles that were subject to a large-scale recall after dozens of consecutive fire incidents occurred since 2018.

(Photo by AP News)

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A total of 8,144 vehicles with unaddressed recall orders for airbag and seatbelt defects have also been listed for sale as used cars. Notably, among these, 3,513 vehicles are equipped with Takata airbags, known as 'metal fragment airbags,' which have caused over 400 casualties worldwide.

The Takata airbag is a product manufactured by the Japanese auto parts company Takata until its bankruptcy in 2017. It contains a gas canister that inflates the airbag upon collision. A defect was discovered in which the canister could explode, scattering metal fragments and causing injuries or fatalities inside the vehicle, earning it the nickname 'killer airbag.'

The scale of these used cars with unaddressed recall orders is based only on those currently listed for sale, and the actual number is expected to be much higher when including vehicles that have already been sold.

Assemblyman Yoon stressed, "We must not allow the unrestricted trading of vehicles with unaddressed recall orders," adding, "Vehicles with defects directly linked to public safety should be dealt with swiftly, and the system should be improved to ensure that recall information is clearly disclosed in the used car market as well."

Meanwhile, starting from June 2024, it has become legally mandatory to disclose recall information for used cars, and sellers are required to provide this information in advance. Buyers can directly check a vehicle's recall history by entering its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the 'Automobile Recall Center' website.