April 19, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s Transport Ministry on May 10 said it will decide this week on the enforced recall of 250,000 vehicles by Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors over several defects.

“We are currently reviewing the matter based on hearings held earlier on Hyundai and Kia cars. The recall decision is expected to be made this week,” a ministry official told The Investor.

The ministry also denied earlier reports that Hyundai Motor Group is considering to carry out a voluntary recall to fix its problems. “We have not received any voluntary recall plan from the automaker,” the official said. 

Closed-door hearings were held on May 8 after Hyundai and Kia refused to comply with the government’s order to recall their vehicles encompassing 12 models, which include popular Avante, Sonata sedans, as well as Kia Motors’ Mohave SUV. The regulators in April ordered the recall of total 250,000 vehicles to address five defects that could affect safety.

The five alleged defects include brake vacuum lines for Avante, wheel lug nuts for Mohave, parking brake alert signals for Sonata and Genesis, engine control canisters for Genesis and Equus and fuel lines for Santa Fe, Sorento and Carnival.

Hyundai has appealed the decision saying the defects do not pose serious threats to passenger safety to require a forced recall.

If the government decides to force a recall, Hyundai has 30 days to submit the recall plan.

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