The Ministry of Environment announced on July 15 that, in the first half of this year, 82,537 vehicles across 51 models were subject to recall (defect correction) due to defects in specific parts.
Under the Clean Air Conservation Act, the Ministry of Environment may issue a defect correction order if the defect rate of certain parts occurring during driving exceeds a specified threshold. The automakers and importers subject to this recall measure are five companies: Mercedes-Benz Korea, BMW Korea, GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters, Ford Sales and Service Korea, and GM Korea.
The main defects in the recalled vehicles include: sensor damage caused by condensate formation (BMW 520d, etc.); leakage at the hose connection of the fuel supply line (Mercedes-Benz S 580 4MATIC, etc.); evaporative gas leakage due to internal component damage in the purification control valve (Ford Lincoln Corsair 2.0); catalyst damage for purification at high temperatures (GM Korea Cruze 1.8); and malfunction of the purification pump (GM Asia Cadillac CT4/CT5 2.0T).
When a recall is implemented, the defect is corrected through software updates or replacement of damaged parts. Owners of affected vehicles are individually notified by the manufacturer or importer via mail and mobile text message (SMS) when the recall begins.
Whether a vehicle is subject to defect correction and the specific details of the defect can be checked by contacting the manufacturer or importer, or by visiting the Automobile Recall Center website. Vehicle owners who repaired the relevant defect at their own expense before the recall was implemented may claim compensation from the manufacturer or importer in accordance with the Clean Air Conservation Act.
Lee Kyungbin, Director of the Transport Environment Division at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "We will thoroughly analyze the causes of defects in automobile emission-related parts," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure that automakers make improvements, thereby reducing air pollution and protecting public health."
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