South Korea’s Transport Ministry announces massive vehicle recalls affecting over 340,000 units from major automakers, revealing persistent safety concerns in the automotive industry.
At a Glance
- Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla are recalling over 343,000 vehicles in South Korea
- Recalls address issues including battery sensor flaws, software errors, and engine control unit malfunctions
- Hyundai and Kia accounted for 79.2% of last year’s record-breaking 5.12 million vehicle recalls in South Korea
- Electric vehicle recalls have surged to 1.2 million units in 2023, a significant increase from previous years
Major Automakers Announce Widespread Recalls
South Korea’s Transportation Authority has revealed a series of significant vehicle recalls involving Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Korea, and Tesla Korea. The recalls, affecting over 343,000 vehicles across 11 models, come as a response to various defects identified in these automobiles. The announcement underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the automotive industry in maintaining vehicle safety and reliability.
Hyundai, one of South Korea’s largest automakers, is recalling 141,125 units of two models, including the Porter II Electric, due to a battery sensor design flaw. Additionally, 19,830 units of Hyundai’s Nexo are being recalled for a defect in the emergency light switch. Kia, Hyundai’s sister company, is recalling 89,598 units of the Sorento Hybrid and another model due to a software issue.
The recalls are not limited to domestic manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz Korea is recalling 4,068 units of two models, including the S580 4MATIC, for an engine control unit software defect. Tesla Korea, known for its electric vehicles, is recalling 2,425 units of the Model Y and another model due to software errors. These recalls highlight that even luxury brands and cutting-edge electric vehicles are susceptible to manufacturing and design flaws.
“The surge in recalls was largely attributed to manufacturing defects in several popular Hyundai and Kia models, with the latest figures surpassing the 1.69 million units recalled last year,” South Korea’s Transport Ministry said on Thursday.
The involvement of electric vehicles in these recalls is particularly noteworthy. Electric vehicle recalls have reached 1.2 million units in 2023, a significant increase from 707,088 in 2021 and 187,560 in 2020. This trend reflects the growing prevalence of electric vehicles in the market and the unique challenges they present in terms of safety and reliability.
The current recalls are part of a broader trend of increasing vehicle safety issues in South Korea. Last year saw a record high of 5.12 million vehicle recalls across 1,684 models. Hyundai and Kia were responsible for 4.07 million of these recalls, accounting for about 79.2% of the total. This year’s recalls have already surpassed the previous record of 3.25 million units set in 2022, indicating a growing concern over vehicle safety and quality control in the automotive industry.
The high number of recalls, particularly those involving Hyundai and Kia, raises questions about quality control processes and the challenges faced by automakers in ensuring the safety and reliability of their vehicles. As the automotive industry continues to evolve with new technologies and electric powertrains, manufacturers must remain vigilant in addressing potential defects and ensuring the safety of their customers.