Hyundai Motor, Kia and BMW Korea Recall Over 107,000 Vehicles in South Korea Over Fire Risk Concerns
Hyundai Motor, Kia and BMW Korea are voluntarily recalling a combined 107,158 vehicles across 37 models in South Korea due to manufacturing defects that may increase the risk of fire, the transport ministry said on Wednesday, February 25.The large-scale recall affects electric vehicles and internal combustion models, with issues ranging from battery management software faults to defective starter motor components.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Recall EVs Over Battery Management System Issue
According to the ministry, 37,690 units of four Hyundai models, including the Kona Electric, are being recalled due to a problem in the battery management system software. The defect could prevent early detection of potential fire risks.Kia is also recalling 1,590 units of the Niro electric vehicle over the same battery management system software issue.
The corrective measures are aimed at resolving software-related risks that may compromise early warning mechanisms designed to detect fire hazards in electric vehicles.
BMW Korea Recalls 67,878 Vehicles Over Starter Motor Defect
Separately, BMW Korea is recalling 67,878 vehicles across 32 models, including the 520i and 320i, due to defective starter motor components.The ministry said the faulty components could potentially lead to fires, prompting the company to initiate voluntary corrective action.
Earlier Recall Covered 179,880 Vehicles Across 51 Models
This latest recall follows a previous round of voluntary corrective measures announced earlier, which involved a combined 179,880 vehicles across 51 models from Hyundai Motor, Kia and BMW Korea.Hyundai Motor had recalled 36,603 units of the Porter II Electric due to a software error that could affect braking performance.
Kia recalled 25,078 units of the Bongo III electric vehicle over a similar software issue that could reduce braking performance. Additionally, 69,137 Kia vehicles across 16 other models were recalled starting Tuesday for comparable defects.
BMW Korea had also recalled 9,914 vehicles across 13 models, including the i5 eDrive40, due to a software defect in the air conditioner compressor control unit.
Kia’s Georgia Plant Crosses 5 Million Units in Production
Meanwhile, Kia announced that its production facility in West Point, Georgia, has surpassed 5 million units in cumulative production.A ceremony marking the milestone was held on Tuesday in the United States. The 5 millionth vehicle produced at the plant was a Telluride sport utility vehicle.
The unit also marked the first hybrid electric vehicle assembled in Georgia, as well as Kia’s first U.S.-assembled hybrid model.
Kia has been producing the Telluride exclusively at the Georgia facility since 2019.
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