Dongfeng KIA Recalls 18 thousand K5

Because of wheel potential cracking risk, Dongfeng KIA records recalling plan with AQSIQ yesterday. The company decides to recall 18,135 K3 made from Sept 7, 2012 to Dec 31, 2012 yesterday.

Dongfeng KIA has received several complaints already. A driver from Jiangsu Province passed through a puddle by K5, but its wheel cracked and tire was scratched. The driver has tested the wheel thickness and found thickness less than 4.4 mm national standard. Before recalling, Dongfeng KIA normally replace new wheel freely for complaining owners.

Dongfeng KIA explains in recalling notification that during driving with the recalled vehicles, when tire pressure is not enough, and both sides of wheels have been pounded, some cars’ wheels may be cracked, which has safety risk.

On Sept 7, brother of Dongfeng KIA, Beijing Hyundai has recalled as well. Target is new 2013 Santa Fe SUV, totally 10,310. Reason for Santa Fe recalling is forging process quality problem of drive axle joints. Right side of drive axle may have cracks which contributes power cant transmitting. Or it causes vehicle glide automatically when park without pulling the handbrake. It has safety risk like Dongfeng KIA K5.

Earlier this year, Hyundai Auto Group (Hyundai Auto and KIA Auto) has recalled widely in North America and Europe. It was 2.23 million and 81 thousand respectively. Hyundai Group has announced its implement of “Global Mend Action”.

Hyundai is one of the fast growth auto groups after economy crisis of 2008. In the first half this year, Hyundai Auto Group has sold 3.84 million, which has increased 7.2% over the performance of last year. In Chinese market, Beijing Hyundai and Dongfeng KIA, joint ventures of Hyundai Auto Group, have developed fast. Dongfeng KIA has sold 276 thousand in the first half this year, which has increased 25% over last year.