A total of 146,505 vehicles across 38 models, including Hyundai Motor Tucson, Volvo XC60 and Land Rover Defender, are being recalled for manufacturing defects. The move follows findings of issues such as instrument clusters turning off or engines failing to restart, and the possibility that airbags may not deploy in a crash. Owners of the affected vehicles can get parts replaced or software updated free of charge.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 1st that six carmakers—Hyundai Motor, Volvo Car Korea, BYD Korea (BYD), Mercedes-Benz Korea, Stellantis Korea and Jaguar Land Rover Korea—will carry out a voluntary recall after manufacturing defects were found in vehicles they produced, imported and sold.
Hyundai Motor and Volvo have the most vehicles subject to recall. Volvo found that in 55,405 units across seven models, including the XC60, insufficient durability of alternator components could trigger battery and engine warning lights or prevent restarting after using the start-stop (a function that automatically turns the engine off at a stop and restarts it) feature. Hyundai Motor found that in 54,792 units across two models, including the Tucson and Tucson hybrid, a software error caused the instrument cluster to flicker or turn off.
For Land Rover, 14,373 units across 21 models, including the Defender and Discovery, were found to have a possibility that airbags may not deploy in a crash. BYD will conduct its first recall in Korea after 18,091 units across six models, including the Sealion 7, experienced an issue in which the seat belt reminder could be obscured by other alerts. Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis also had issues confirmed—steering wheel buttons and engine stalling—affecting 2,113 and 1,731 vehicles, respectively.
Hyundai Motor will begin recalls on the 6th of next month, and Land Rover from the 3rd. BYD has been proceeding since on the 19th, and Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis since on the 26th. Volvo will begin corrective action as soon as parts supply is secured. Whether a vehicle is subject to recall and details of the defect can be checked through the Automobile Recall Center using the license plate number.