Vehicles with Unresolved Fire Hazards to Fail Inspections
Owners Must Complete Recall Repairs Within 18 Months
Failure to Comply May Result in Fines or Suspension of Vehicle Operation
Deadline Extensions Possible If Parts Are Unavailable
In the future, vehicles subject to recall due to fire hazards will be deemed unfit during vehicle inspections if their defects are not addressed within a certain period. After receiving recall repairs, the vehicle must be reinspected. Otherwise, the owner may face fines and, in more severe cases, suspension of vehicle operation.
According to a recent partial amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Automobile Management Act announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on May 5, owners of vehicles required to correct manufacturing defects that could cause fires must complete repairs within one year and six months from the start of the recall. Failure to do so will result in a failed periodic vehicle inspection, and the owner must complete the recall repairs and undergo another inspection within ten days.
Last September, a fire broke out with an explosion in a truck parked near the entrance of Chiak Rest Area on the Jungang Expressway. Provided by Wonju Fire Station, Yonhap News.
Last year, a fire in an electric vehicle at an apartment complex in Incheon caused significant damage, heightening public anxiety about vehicle fire accidents. This measure was introduced to enhance the effectiveness of recall actions. If a vehicle is deemed unfit during inspection, local governments can issue mandatory compliance orders.
Nevertheless, if the recall repairs are not completed, the owner may face fines or even suspension of vehicle operation. However, if necessary parts are not supplied in time and repairs cannot be made, the deadline will be extended. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official stated, "We plan to inform vehicle owners of the possibility of fire when notifying them of the recall or sending notification letters."
According to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, various vehicle models have been subject to recalls this year due to fire risks. Causes include a manufacturing defect in temperature-sensitive pressure relief valves (Hyundai Nexo), insufficient durability in the electronic control hydraulic unit (Kia K7), short circuits caused by moisture intrusion into the coolant pump wiring connector (BMW 528i), software errors (Mercedes-Benz S580), and manufacturing defects in drive batteries (Volvo XC60). The possibility of fire has been confirmed for these various reasons.
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