Hyundai And Kia Recall 240,000 Cars After Whistleblower Comes Forward

The South Korean government has ordered Hyundai and it’s subsidiary Kia to recall 240,000 affected cars after a 25 year veteran employee came forth and told authorities about dangerous issues with vacuum pipes, fuel hoses, parking brake light issues, and other faulty parts on 12 different models, including the i30 hatchback, Sonata, Genesis, Mohave, and Carnival minivan.

After initially refusing to act voluntarily – citing no safety risks, Hyundai is complying with the mandated recall. Still, they were quick to note 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 -Hyundai

The recall adds to the 1.5 million cars Hyundai-Kia recalled last month for possible engine stalling.

The Whistleblower

The man responsible for the recall is Kim Gwang-ho, who told the BBC that he couldn’t, in good faith, allow passengers to travel in vehicles he knew to be faulty.

Kim, 55, had worked at Hyundai for more than 25 years, and it was obvious to me that he cared deeply for the firm and was very proud of the work that he’d been involved in.

But he also pointed out that his decision to speak out was calculated. He was nearing retirement, and didn’t have as much to lose as his younger colleagues. –BBC

For his honesty, Hyundai fired Kim and launched a lawsuit against him – however after the story behind the recall went public, Hyundai dropped the suit, reinstated his old job, and reimbursed him for years of unemployment.

I love a happy ending!

 

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