April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Dongfeng Yueda Kia, Kia Motors' Chinese joint venture, is recalling 31,803 units of its sport utility vehicle for defective rear traction rods starting on Feb. 13.

Chinese authorities ordered Kia to recall KX5 vehicles, sold as Sportage in other countries, manufactured between Jan. 19, 2016, to Jan. 21, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Feb. 12. 

The South Korean automaker said it will upgrade the problematic parts for free, saying the rear traction rods are not strong enough to resist shocks and could fall apart, which could be dangerous.

The latest measure reflects increasing number of recalls in the world’s largest auto market. China has recalled 11.32 million cars last year, a historic high and more than twice as many as the same period in the previous year. The number of recalls rose by 34 times from 2004, when the country implemented the recall system for the first time.

According to industry watchers, many carmakers in China voluntarily began recalling defective vehicles to curb potential risks, given Chinese consumer’s increased awareness of recall policies.

But the number of recalls in China still falls short from the US, the second largest passenger auto market. According to industry data, US recalled over 51 million units in 2015, ten times higher than China, which recalled 5.1 million cars in the same period.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)