Information on recall
We offer information concerning the motor vehicle-related motor vehicle recall system.Sub content
What is a motor vehicle safety-related defect?
motor vehicle safety-related defects refer to the cases where the motor vehicle does not comply with the safety standards or hinders safe motor vehicle operation caused by motor vehicle defects.
Since motor vehicle defects are directly related to the level of motor vehicle safety, matters which have minor influence upon the level of motor vehicle safety are excluded from being subject to rectification of safety-related defects(RECALL).

- Faulty quality of devices to offer passenger convenience(air-conditioner, audio)
- Wear-out of shock absorbers, batteries, brake pads, etc., which require periodic check-up, maintenance and replacement
- Incidence of simple rust on the chassis panel
- State of section on which the paint is applied or scratches on chassis ornaments, etc.
Rectification of motor vehicle safety-related defects(Recall)
① It is stipulated that the manufacturers, etc. should without delay release the recall [fact] and take correctional measures in line with the rules and regulations stipulated in the ordinance from the Ministry of Land and Transport, in the event that the motor vehicle manufactured or the like has any motor vehicle defects.
② The Minister of Land and Transport may issue an order of rectification of safety-related defects, in the even that the motor vehicle manufacturer, assembler or importer does not release the presence of defects or assume correctional measures for the defects and, in order to confirm the presence of defects in the motor vehicle that was manufactured, etc., if necessary, may have the performance testing agent conduct an investigation regarding this matter(investigation of safety-related defects) and, according to Item N°3, Article N°31, KATRI(Korea automobile Testing & Research Institute) of Korea Transportation Safety Authority, who acts as the performance testing agent, is currently conducting the actual investigation.
Voluntary recall and mandatory recall
Recalls are divided into voluntary and mandatory recalls. Rather than mandatory recalls imposed by governments, voluntary recalls which the manufacturer conducts of one’s own accord occupy most of the recalls. Surely, with reference to voluntary recall, in the event that the government carries out the investigation of safety-related defects, the case of the manufacturer’s voluntary implementation of the recall affected by this is included.
Even if we look into the case of the U.S.A. where this motor vehicle recall system is in full play, 75% out of the total recalls account are conducted voluntarily by the manufacturers and, other than these, manufacturers’ voluntary recall is generalized to the point that the recalls are performed being influenced by government investigations.
Product liability(PL)
The PL(product liability) System is a remunerative system for the damages in which the manufacturer(the person whose line of trade is engaged in manufacturing, processing or importing products) is held liable for the damages inflicted upon those sustaining damages in terms of life, physical body or property owing to the product defects.
The Recall and PL systems share common grounds in terms of protecting the damages, rights & interest related to safety. However, whereas the Consumer Damage Compensation System and the PL system are systems in terms of post-compensation which the manufacturer conducts direct compensation for the consumer damages already taken place, the motor vehicle recall system is a system that protects the consumer more aggressively on an a priori-preventive level which prevents beforehand the damages inflicted upon the consumers as the manufacturer voluntarily or mandatorily pushed by the government assumes appropriate measures to rectify the defective products.
Annual recall status
year | domestic car | Imported cars | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vehicle Type | Number Of Vehicle | Vehicle Type | Number Of Vehicle | Vehicle Type | Number Of Vehicle | |
2025 * | 15 | 481,791 | 75 | 23,672 | 90 | 505,463 |
2024 | 214 | 4,251,462 | 1,494 | 879,140 | 1,708 | 5,130,602 |
2023 | 85 | 1,140,157 | 898 | 551,713 | 983 | 1,691,870 |
2022 | 106 | 2,618,547 | 1,124 | 628,749 | 1,230 | 3,247,296 |
2021 | 59 | 1,563,360 | 1,971 | 1,091,755 | 2,030 | 2,655,115 |
2020 | 73 | 1,521,505 | 1,049 | 690,643 | 1,122 | 2,212,148 |
2019 | 88 | 1,396,018 | 1,026 | 613,092 | 1,114 | 2,009,110 |
2018 | 64 | 2,024,009 | 1,065 | 618,988 | 1,129 | 2,642,997 |
2017 | 65 | 1,673,732 | 767 | 301,940 | 832 | 1,975,672 |
2016 | 55 | 404,258 | 522 | 220,540 | 577 | 624,798 |
2015 | 33 | 785,071 | 469 | 247,835 | 502 | 1,032,906 |
2014 | 32 | 733,175 | 402 | 136,633 | 434 | 869,808 |
2013 | 34 | 981,298 | 161 | 55,853 | 195 | 1,037,151 |
2012 | 51 | 165,919 | 139 | 40,318 | 190 | 206,237 |
2011 | 15 | 223,353 | 181 | 45,305 | 196 | 268,658 |
2010 | 18 | 226,452 | 120 | 44,457 | 138 | 270,909 |
2009 | 25 | 146,148 | 49 | 12,687 | 74 | 158,835 |
2008 | 94 | 97,878 | 55 | 8,139 | 149 | 106,017 |
2007 | 7 | 41,751 | 66 | 14,561 | 73 | 56,312 |
2006 | 23 | 133,907 | 56 | 9,295 | 79 | 143,202 |
2005 | 45 | 843,863 | 70 | 11,589 | 115 | 855,452 |
2004 | 40 | 1,357,056 | 100 | 12,952 | 140 | 1,370,008 |
2003 | 32 | 641,415 | 27 | 3,322 | 59 | 644,737 |
total | 2,546 | 46,904,250 | 23,772 | 12,526,356 | 26,318 | 59,430,606 |
* Calculating recall status for 2025