English translation of the original Korean report. Images and source documents may contain Korean text.

In the Consumer Agency’s investigation, all four types of emergency hammers failed to break the glass… Five manufacturers promised to improve information, but there was a difference in approach regarding expanding consumer choice and providing hammers.

As investigation results showed that the laminated glass applied by domestic finished vehicle manufacturers such as Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis to enhance vehicle quietness could make escape difficult in the event of flooding or rollover accidents, manufacturers’ safety measures are drawing attention.

In particular, Kia K9 and Genesis G90 were confirmed to have laminated glass applied as standard even to the rear window, raising concerns that escape through windows might be difficult in emergency situations.

According to a synthesis of the Korea Consumer Agency’s ‘Survey on Obstacles to Vehicle Emergency Escape’ results and related reports on the 8th, among 47 models sold by 6 domestic finished vehicle brands, 36 models (76.6%) could have laminated glass applied to their 1st-row side windows.

12 models, including Grandeur, Santa Fe, Palisade, Ioniq 9, Kia K9, EV9, and Genesis G80, G90, GV60, GV70, GV80, applied laminated glass to the 1st and 2nd row side windows as standard in all specifications.

While they agreed to improve safety information… providing emergency hammers is still in the review stage.

As a result of the Consumer Agency testing windows with 4 types of emergency escape tools, including hammer-type and center punch-type, all tempered glass was broken, but laminated glass only developed cracks at the impact point.

Among 1,000 consumers, 765 (76.5%) did not know that laminated glass could be applied to vehicle side windows, and 732 (73.2%) responded that accurate emergency escape guidance is necessary.

There were differences in improvement responses by manufacturer. In response to the Korea Consumer Agency’s recommendation, all five domestic finished vehicle manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea, and KG Mobility, replied that they would improve the display of window safety information. On the other hand, regarding strengthening consumer choice, such as operating side laminated glass as an optional feature, only three companies, KG Mobility, Renault Korea, and GM Korea, expressed their intention to improve.

The plan to provide emergency escape hammers when vehicles are delivered was confirmed to be under review only by KG Mobility. Hyundai Motor and Kia did not announce any separate improvement plans in this investigation regarding expanding consumer choice or providing emergency escape hammers, and specific follow-up measures and implementation schedules were not confirmed.

Laminated glass is strong against impact and has the advantage of reducing external noise, but in an accident situation where the car door does not open, these same characteristics can hinder escape.

The Korea Consumer Agency recommended that manufacturers clearly inform about the type of glass and its application location, and establish escape guidelines reflecting the characteristics of laminated glass. It also suggested to relevant ministries to establish related guidelines.

It urged drivers to check the location of the tempered glass installed in their vehicles in advance and to prepare emergency escape tools.