The Hyundai Motor Group, representing the Hyundai and Kia brands, is understood to have rejected the findings of a hearing into the need for a recall of some 200,00 vehicles.
In most cases, a recall will be carried out voluntarily, and often proactively, to avoid damaging customer relations and poor publicity for the brand. Action can be ordered by a given nation’s government, however, in cases where the manufacturer has made a case against the need for a recall.
According to Korean website The Investor, a spokesperson for the Hyundai Motor Group has said that the company “cannot accept” the initial findings of this week’s hearing, carried out by the South Korean government’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
“We believe that whether the reviewed faulty parts are directly linked to safety has to be looked over again. As for now we cannot accept the ministry’s findings,” the spokesperson is reported to have said.
Although this matter has been reported in overseas press this week as a recall order – a far more serious matter – CarAdvice understands the car maker’s position is in response to a first round of hearings, held on May 8.
The case centres on the testimony of a whistleblower, who has claimed the company covered up defects in vehicles.
It is unclear if the Korean government has any more concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Hyundai’s response suggests the company will demand a deeper investigation rather than accepting the testimony of one person.
It is unlikely a manufacturer would refuse a recall order, as the government possesses the power to shut down manufacturing and revoke trade licences, among other severe penalties. Such a move would likely be reflected in other markets, potentially ruining a brand almost overnight.
Nonetheless, with the matter now being reported to the public as the refusal of a forced recall, both brands could suffer serious brand damage with consumers given to believe a safety-focused order has been ignored.
The alleged faults in Hyundai and Kia models are understood to involve brake vacuum lines (Hyundai Avante MD and GD), wheel lug nuts (Kia Mohave), parking-brake alert signals (Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Genesis), engine-control canisters (Genesis, Equus), and fuel lines (Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Carnival).
Although a number of the models above are offered in Australia, it is unclear, at this stage, if any local vehicles are affected.
For its part, the company’s global headquarters has not released any official statement on the matter, and the local arms of both brands have not been informed of any plans for wider action.
The matter is believed to be unrelated to a recall of some 1.4 million vehicles, which the Hyundai and Kia brands have already confirmed in overseas markets, relating to models powered by the group’s 2.0- and 2.4-litre Theta II petrol engines produced before 2013.
The local arms for both brands have confirmed with CarAdvice that there is currently no word on local impact, although the matter is being reviewed.
For that specific recall, both brands offered the following statement:
“[Hyundai and Kia are] investigating the issue to find out if any vehicles in Australia are affected. Our first and foremost priority is the safety and peace of mind of our customers, and we will take all necessary measures to make sure any possible issues are quickly and safely rectified.”
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