By Park Jin-hai
Mercedes Benz topped the recall list of imported cars here, accounting for almost 33 percent of recalls in the first seven months of this year, according to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TSA), Monday.
Mercedes recalled 34,756 cars during the period.
Ford was second with 12,462 vehicles recalled, followed by BMW with 10,992.
During the period, 104,928 imported cars, up 68.2 percent from a year earlier, were on the recall list.
The Mercedes E250 BlueTec 4MATIC, C200 BlueTec and CL S250 BlueTec 4MATIC were reported to have defective rear seat belts, where the seat belt might unlock during a crash, while the E220 BlueTec and C220 BlueTec have engine oil leaks that could start a fire.
Ford Korea’s best-selling Explorer was recalled because door locks may not work properly, increasing the risk of doors opening while vehicles are moving. The Lincoln MKZ, Taurus and Mustang also have been included on the recall list.
BMW recalled 10,992 cars (10.5 percent), Nissan 4,123 (3.9 percent) and FCA Korea recalled 3,957 (3.8 percent) Chrysler cars in the January-July period.
Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Korea, which is promoting its “hybrid zero” campaign aiming for zero-defect hybrid cars, recalled 254, while Honda Korea had no cars on the recall list.
"Since the middle of last year, the number of recalls has substantially increased,” a TSA official said. “The number of cars to be recalled this year is estimated to reach 1 million.".