The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced on Tuesday a massive voluntary recall involving 408,942 vehicles across 24 models from Hyundai Motor, Kia, KG Mobility (KGM), and BMW Korea. The recall addresses a range of critical safety issues, including malfunctioning electric seats, fuel leaks, and wiring hazards.

Major Recall Categories

1. Hyundai Palisade: Electric Seat and Seatbelt Issues Approximately 57,987 units of the Hyundai Palisade (including the Hybrid model) are being recalled due to a software flaw in the 2nd and 3rd-row electric seats. The system fails to properly detect passengers or objects during the folding process, posing a risk of injury. Hyundai has been addressing this via Over-the-Air (OTA) updates since March 20th. Furthermore, 41,143 units face a separate recall starting April 10th due to faulty seatbelt buckle wiring in the 3rd row.

2. Kia Carnival: Fuel Leak Hazards The largest portion of the recall affects 201,841 units of the Kia Carnival. A design flaw in the low-pressure fuel line could lead to fuel leaks, potentially causing engine stalls or vehicle fires. Corrective measures for these vehicles are set to begin on March 25th.

3. KGM and BMW: Overheating and Wiring Risks

KGM: 78,293 units, including the Torres, are under recall for overheating issues in the cooling fan resistor coil. Repairs began on March 16th.
BMW: 29,678 units across 18 models, including the 520i, are being recalled due to poorly designed air conditioning wiring that could short-circuit and ignite a fire during maintenance. This recall commences today, March 24th.
How to Check Your Vehicle
The Ministry plans to closely monitor the progress of these recalls and additional improvements for electric seat safety. Vehicle owners can verify if their car is affected by entering their license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Automobile Recall Center website.