South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors Corp. will implement a massive recall of their vehicles in South Korea and the United States, the companies and U.S. regulators said Tuesday.
Hyundai said it is set to begin recalling 81,000 Tucson vehicles on July 15 in the U.S. to replace the secondary hood latch. A separate recall is also scheduled for 62,000 units in South Korea later this month.
The recall affects Tucson vehicles built in South Korea from May 19, 2015 to March 14 this year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Hyundai Motor said on the website of the U.S. regulator that if the primary hood latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch cannot secure the hood, the hood may unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Meanwhile, Kia Motors said it plans to recall 219,800 Sedona minivans to also replace their secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch beginning on July 25.
Kia Motors said the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed, resulting in the same problem as the Tucson, also potentially leading to an accident.
The affected vehicles were manufactured in South Korea from June 15, 2005 through April 04, 2014, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Kia Motors said it is also recalling 5,245 Forte vehicles produced in South Korea from Sept. 10, 2012 to Oct. 31, 2012 to replace both front seatbelt assemblies.
The carmaker said the screws that hold the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates may not have been properly tightened, and the seatbelt retractor retaining plates may break in a crash.
The recall is expected to begin on June 30. (Yonhap)
