Ford Sales & Service Korea, Jaguar Land Rover Korea and GM Korea will recall 9,779 cars sold in South Korea for safety-related mechanical defects, the transportation ministry said Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a combined 6,431 Ford Escapes, Fusions, Mondeos and MKZs made by the U.S. automaker's luxury car division, Lincoln, have been found to have faulty air bags and steering column issues.

Air bag problems involve cars made between April 15, 2012, and Sept. 10, 2013, with 1,523 Escapes, Fusions and MZKs being affected. Problems related to the power steering system have been found in 4,908 Mondeos, Fusions and MKZs made between July 7, 2012, and April 15, 2015.

The ministry said door control system software and sunroof problems have been found in Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

It said faulty door sensors have been installed in 2,773 Range Rover full-sized SUVs made between March 29, 2012, and May 23, 2015. The sunroof defect affected 76 Discovery 4s made between Aug. 13 and Sept. 14 of 2012.

In regards to GM Korea Co., that not only makes cars in the country under the Chevrolet badge but imports cars from its parent company GM, the ministry said the recall is centered on ATS compact sports sedans made by Cadillac.

It said 499 cars made between Dec. 21, 2012, and March 18, 2015, had electrical problems in the rear window defogging system that can lead to fires.

All three car companies will offer free repairs starting Thursday at local service centers, the ministry said. (Yonhap)