South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor will voluntarily recall around 27,500 Genesis sedans sold in the United States, a company official said Monday as U.S. authorities opened a probe into their potential brake problems.

Hyundai plans to notify the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week of the decision, company spokesman Miles Johnson said in an emailed statement.

Dealers will change the brake fluid and inspect the electronic brake control modules of cars produced from April 1, 2008, through March 16, 2012, he added.

"Hyundai is taking care of all customers, assuring that any one driving an affected vehicle can have it picked up and that a loaner will be provided for the owner," he said.

The recall comes as the NHTSA began an investigation into an estimated 40,000 Hyundai Genesis cars after receiving 23 complaints from drivers alleging abnormal operations of brakes at times.

It's the first investigation announced by the NHTSA since the 16-day partial government shutdown that ended last week. (Yonhap News)