SEOUL, South Korea — Hyundai Motor, Kia, and BMW Korea will recall a combined 107,158 vehicles across 37 models due to manufacturing defects that could pose fire risks, South Korea’s transport ministry said on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, Hyundai Motor will recall 37,690 units of four models, including the Kona Electric, over a battery management system software issue that could prevent early detection of potential fire risks. Kia will also recall 1,590 units of its Niro electric vehicle for the same software-related problem.
Separately, BMW Korea will recall 67,878 vehicles across 32 models, including the 520i and 320i, due to defective starter motor components that could lead to fires.
The ministry said the latest action follows earlier voluntary recalls by the three automakers involving a total of 179,880 vehicles across 51 models for software-related manufacturing defects.
In those recalls, Hyundai Motor withdrew 36,603 units of the Porter II Electric after identifying a software error that could affect braking performance. Kia recalled 25,078 units of the Bongo III electric vehicle over a similar braking-related software issue, while an additional 69,137 Kia vehicles across 16 other models were recalled starting Tuesday for comparable defects.
BMW Korea also recalled 9,914 vehicles across 13 models, including the i5 eDrive40, due to a software defect in the air conditioner compressor control unit, the ministry said.
Separately, Kia announced that its production plant in the U.S. state of Georgia has surpassed 5 million units in cumulative output. A ceremony marking the rollout of the 5 millionth vehicle was held Tuesday at the West Point plant, with the milestone unit being a Telluride sport utility vehicle.
The vehicle also marked the first hybrid electric vehicle assembled at the Georgia facility and Kia’s first U.S.-built hybrid model. Kia began exclusive production of the Telluride at the Georgia plant in 2019. (Source: IANS)
