Carmakers start spate of recalls

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz and Japan’s Nissan and Mitsubishi will voluntarily recall 12,102 vehicles to fix faulty parts, Korea’s transport ministry said Wednesday.

Mercedes-Benz’s recall is set to begin tomorrow, and affects 8,929 units of 25 models produced between November 2011 and December 2016 that have airbag defects, including the C 220 CDI. Also included are 30 units of the GLS 250d 4MATIC manufactured between March and April in 2017, which were found with defects in components linking oil cooler pipes, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Another 2,598 units of Nissan’s Altima 2.5 produced between July 2012 and December 2013 that were found to have defects in parts of the torque converter, which could cause the cars to stall while driving, are also subject to the recall, the ministry said.

It said 545 units of Mitsubishi’s Outlander crossover produced between September and October 2008 and Lancer sedan manufactured between November 2008 and October 2009, will be recalled for faulty sunroofs starting Monday.

People who had the defects in their cars fixed before the recalls were issued are eligible for compensation from the automakers.

The ministry advised owners of vehicles to visit the recall center at www.car.go.kr to get information on the recalls. Meanwhile, the ministry said it urged South Korea’s top automaker, Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors to provide free repairs on three of their models - Sorento, Sportage and Tucson - that emit white powder from their vents.

The Korean carmakers said they will begin contacting the owners of about 390,000 of the problematic cars for free inspection and repair services starting July 27, according to the ministry.

Yonhap