Avante, BMW, Fiat and 490,000 Vehicles Recalled

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has discovered manufacturing defects in a total of 490,720 vehicles across 21 models sold by Hyundai Motor Company, FCA Korea, BMW Korea, Audi Volkswagen Korea, MAN Truck & Bus Korea, and Bike Korea, and has initiated corrective actions (recalls).

According to the Ministry on the 13th, 491,102 units of 2 models including the Hyundai Avante have a risk of fire due to internal short circuits caused by the intrusion of foreign substances such as oil or moisture into the power module of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in some aged vehicles.

A recall has been initiated for 872 units of the 2013 Fiat 500 model imported and sold by FCA Korea, due to the possibility that the transmission cable may detach because of weakened durability of the transmission cable adjuster, which could result in the transmission gear not actually changing.

BMW Korea’s imported and sold 2,273 units of 9 models including the BMW 320i are also subject to recall. It was confirmed that metal fragments from internal parts could be generated due to excessive explosion pressure of the inflator when the Takata airbag inflates, potentially causing injury to the driver and others. This recall involves re-replacing the Takata airbags that were replaced with new ones before the improved airbags supplied in 2013 and 2015, as newly improved airbag parts have become available.

For 323 units of 5 models including the Jetta 2.0 TDI BMT imported and sold by Audi Volkswagen Korea, a defect in the accumulator (oil pressure generator), a component inside the transmission, was confirmed to possibly cause the transmission to malfunction during operation, leading to corrective action.

93 units of the Lion's City CNF imported and sold (including prior to sale) by MAN Truck & Bus Korea are included in the recall due to gas leakage caused by cracks in the gas pressure regulator, which may result in engine stalling.

Two motorcycle models totaling 27 units imported and sold (including prior to sale) by Bike Korea have been recalled due to design defects in the side stand spring, and 30 units of the Speed Twin have been recalled due to insufficient durability of the anti-loosening agent in the transmission pedal fixing bolt.