Land Ministry orders recalls of BYD, Mercedes-Benz and other vehicles

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday that manufacturing defects had been found in 146,505 vehicles across 38 models made, imported or sold by BYD Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, Stellantis Korea, Jaguar Land Rover Korea, Hyundai Motor and Volvo Car Korea, prompting voluntary recalls.

BYD Korea is recalling 18,091 vehicles across six models, including the Sea Lion 7, after a defect was found in which the seatbelt-unfastened warning can be obscured by other notifications — a violation of safety standards. The recall has been under way since June 19.

Mercedes-Benz Korea began recalling 2,113 units of the C300 4Matic on June 26 after finding that insufficient durability in the steering wheel's electronic control circuit could cause the horn and steering wheel buttons to stop functioning.

Stellantis Korea also began a recall on June 26 covering 1,731 units of the 300C, citing insufficient durability in a high-pressure fuel pump component that could cause the engine to stall while driving.

Jaguar Land Rover Korea will begin recalling 14,373 vehicles across 21 models, including the Defender 110 D240, on July 3 after determining that insufficient durability in the steering wheel airbag connector could trigger the airbag warning light and prevent the airbag from deploying in a collision.

Hyundai Motor will recall 54,792 vehicles across two models, including the Tucson, starting July 6, after a software error in the instrument cluster control was found to cause the display to flicker or go dark — another safety standards violation. Volvo Car Korea will recall 55,405 vehicles across seven models, including the XC60, starting July 13, over insufficient durability in a 48-volt alternator component that could illuminate the 12V battery and engine warning lights and prevent the engine from restarting when the start-stop function is used. A separate recall covering 11,024 units of the XC40, which uses a different part specification, will begin once replacement parts are secured.

Owners can check whether their vehicle is subject to a recall and review specific defect details by entering their license plate number or vehicle identification number on the Korea Auto Vehicle Recall Center website.