Hyundai and Kia Announce Another Massive Recall, Consumer Anxiety Grows

After recall last week
Another massive recall
Consumers are anxious

Hyundai and Kia are planning to conduct another massive recall. It has been less than a week since Hyundai announced the recall of its flagship models, including the Grandeur and Santa Fe. After announcing a large-scale recall on April 18, consumer anxiety increases due to another recall incident.

This time, in particular, Kia announced a recall of 110,000 Niro units, leading to a decline in overall trust in Korean-made vehicles. In addition to the quality controversy between Hyundai and Kia, constant defect problems have led to intense criticism.

The Niro is under recall for 110,000 vehicles
Due to a risk of fire

First, Kia’s Niro, which has the largest recall, recalls 111,307 units of two models, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. The plug-in hybrid will be recalled for models produced from April 25, 2017, to June 29, 2020, and the number of units subject to recall is relatively small at 1,122 units.

However, hybrid models account for most of the units subject to recall, at 110,185 units. The recall will be implemented for models produced from March 21, 2016, to December 22, 2021. The problem in this Niro occurred when extraordinary substances entered the engine during the manufacturing process of the engine power transmission control system. It is known that extraordinary substances that have seeped in can cause an electrical short circuit, leading to a fire.

In the U.S., litigation is underway
Explosion of dissatisfaction with the manufacturer’s response

Previously, a recall was implemented in the U.S. for the same reason. A consumer group filed a class action lawsuit against Kia in a California court on April 11 regarding this issue. Consumers who suffered fire damage argued that the damage to the product and Kia’s illegal actions should be confirmed, and compensation should be made.

In the U.S., due to related issues, the Niro recall has already begun in December 2023, so a significant portion of the associated procedures have been completed. There is also high dissatisfaction among South Korean consumers regarding this. Even though it is a South Korean manufacturer, the opinion is that recalls are consistently implemented first in the U.S. There was also continued criticism that compensation for consumer damage was not adequately provided.

Headlamp defects have also occurred
There’s a recall for the K9

In addition, 7,287 units of two models, Niro HEV and Niro PHEV, were found to have a problem with the high beam being fixed due to insufficient headlamp durability. It was found that the high beam was fixed and dazzled vehicles coming from the opposite direction, which could cause driving accidents.

Meanwhile, in addition to the Niro, a recall will also be carried out for 37,059 Hyundai Accents (37,059 units) and 21,770 Kia K9 (21,770 units). In particular, the K9 is being recalled due to defects in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). A defective HECU could cause extraordinary substances to seep in, which could cause a fire.