Hyundai, Kia ordered to recall 240,000 cars over safety concerns

Car manufacturer Hyundai and its affiliate Kia have been ordered to recall 240,000 vehicles by the South Korean government following information on safety flaws passed on by a whistleblower.

The Transport Ministry asked the state prosecutor to investigate whether the two companies allegedly covered up a total of five flaws which affect 12 models. It is the first time a compulsory vehicle recall has been issued by the government.

The models under scrutiny include the Hyundai i30 hatchback, Sonata midsize sedan, Genesis and Kia's Mohave and Carnival. They were found to have issues with vacuum pipes, fuel hoses, parking brake light issues and several other faulty parts.

The latest recall comes after the two firms offered to fix 1.5m cars in South Korea and the US over possible engine stalling.
Hyundai Motor said it accepted and respected the recall, but that there had been no "reported injuries or accidents from the cited issues".

"Safety is always Hyundai-Kia's number one priority and we make decisions on recalls or any other customer protection steps in compliance with regulators around the world and stringent internal procedures," it said in a statement.