Korea Renault Samsung To Voluntarily Recall 40,515 Cars

SEOUL February 18, 2003; Dow Jones reported that- Renault Samsung Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will recall a total of 40,515 units of the mid-sized sedan SM5, after discovering some vehicles had cracks in fuel filler hoses.

"There haven't been any claims made by clients. We found the cracks during a regular internal inspection," the company said.

Renault Samsung said further inspections showed there was no possibility that the cracks - in the hoses linking fuel injection tubes to the fuel tank - could cause accidents. It said it had decided to announce the recall as part of its regular customer service.

The voluntary recall will begin Feb. 20 and last until Aug. 31, 2004, the company said.

The cars to be recalled include 15,350 units made between Mar. 28-Apr. 15, 1998 and between Jul. 21-Aug. 27, 1998, before France-based Renault took over Samsung Motor, it said. The other 25,165 units to be recalled were made between Aug. 16-Dec. 31, 2001.

Renault Samsung was established in September 2000 after Renault bought a 70.1% stake in Samsung Motor which was then under court receivership.