By Wendy Anders

The country’s Hyundai dealer, GrupoQ, announced they will recall over 200 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles (years 2016-2017) from the market, stated the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) Friday.

The country’s Consumer Support Office (Dirección de Apoyo al Consumidor, DAC) made consumers aware of the lack of passenger-seat airbags in 2016 and 2017 Santa Fe Hyundai models, stated MEIC.

GrupoQ then published a paid ad announcing they had imported and sold at least 200 of such cars. The cars do not conform to article 33D of law 9078 which spells out that air bags for front seat passengers are a requirement for vehicles to circulate in Costa Rica.

According to ministry officials, the established protocol for recalling products is for companies to immediately alert the Consumer Support Office with all pertinent information about the product/s to be recalled, the reason/s for the recall, and a detailed recall plan.

In the case of this Hyundai Santa Fe recall, the MEIC is instructing GrupoQ to alert relevant authorities to the cars’ defect including customs officials, vehicle inspection offices (RTV), and the transportation ministry, so that the situation can be remedied.

According to the website, hyundaiproblems.com, Hyundai Sonata and Elantra have had the most defects and recalls in recent years.