This year, the number of vehicles recalled due to manufacturing defects in South Korea has surpassed 5 million, setting a record high.

According to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's vehicle recall center on the 22nd, the number of vehicles recalled this year is 1,684 models, totaling 5,142,988 vehicles. This far exceeds the previous record of 3,247,296 vehicles in 2022.

Hyundai Grandeur. /Courtesy of Hyundai.

By manufacturer, Hyundai Motor Company recalled 2,456,959 vehicles, while Kia recalled 1,617,725 vehicles, the most among all manufacturers. Hyundai and Kia's recalled vehicles account for 79.2% (4,074,684 vehicles) of the total. The share of recalls by Hyundai Motor Company is at its highest level since 2013 (89.5%).

A representative from the transportation safety authority noted, "As multiple defects were found in popular models from Hyundai Motor Company, the overall scale of recalls has increased."

Among Hyundai vehicles, the Grandeur with a potential fire hazard due to an Electronic Control Hydraulic Unit (HECU) issue saw 348,651 vehicles recalled, while 203,793 Santafe vehicles were recalled. The Sonata was recalled for an airbag control unit error affecting 312,744 vehicles. Kia's K5 was recalled for 210,283 vehicles due to the HECU issue and 122,178 vehicles due to airbag control unit errors.

BMW Korea recalled 358,212 vehicles (7.0%), Tesla Korea 210,136 vehicles (4.1%), Renault Korea 133,760 vehicles (2.6%), and Mercedes-Benz Korea 115,933 vehicles (2.3%), each surpassing 100,000 vehicles.

The most common defect was in the braking system, accounting for 2,130,529 vehicles. Electrical faults (1,202,928 vehicles), power generation devices (447,572 vehicles), and power transmission devices (281,763 vehicles) followed.

The electrification and motorization of vehicles have also contributed to increased recalls due to software errors. Defects in vehicle electrical systems rose from 187,560 vehicles in 2020 to 1,202,928 vehicles this year.

In March of this year, 169,932 electric vehicles from Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, including Ioniq 5 and 6, GV60, and EV6, underwent a voluntary recall due to software errors in the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). The ICCU is a key component for controlling battery charging and power. A software error in the ICCU can cause excessive current, potentially resulting in engine shutdown while driving.