Hyundai and Kia announced recalls this week for over 208,000 combined electric vehicles due to issues with a loss of power. The recalls seek to fix the1 power problem, which could lead to an increased crash risk.
The Recalls
The recalls affect over 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles, including the 2022-2024 Ioniq 5, 2023-2025 Ioniq 6, GV60, GV70, and the 2023-2024 G80 models.
"The subject vehicles are equipped with an Integrated Charging Control Unit ("ICCU") which charges the vehicle's 12-volt auxiliary battery and powers low-voltage vehicle accessory equipment," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in the recall announcement. "Upon fault detection, and accompanied by a series of driver warnings, the vehicle will enter a design-intended 'fail-safe' driving mode that allows immediate full propulsion while gradually reducing motive power over time as the vehicle's battery is discharged. Vehicle systems such as air bags, braking, and powered steering remain operational."
"If the vehicle is driven until the 12-volt battery state-of-charge is fully depleted the vehicle will lose all motive power, potentially increasing the risk of a crash," the NHTSA added.
The recall also extends to nearly 63,000 Kia EV6 vehicles from model years 2022 through 2024.
In documents filed with federal regulators, the affiliated Korean automakers explained that a faulty transistor in the charging control unit could fail, preventing the 12-volt battery from charging.
Remedy Recalled Vehicles
"All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer or Genesis retailer to have the ICCU software updated, and the ICCU assembly and its associated fuse replaced, if necessary," the NHTSA said. "This remedy will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles, regardless of whether the affected vehicles are still covered under Hyundai's or Genesis' New Vehicle Limited Warranty."
Dealers will inspect affected vehicles, replacing the control unit and a fuse if necessary, and will also perform a software update. Owners who previously had their vehicles recalled for the same issue earlier this year will need to return to their dealership for further repairs.
Vehicle owners will receive notification letters about the recall in December and January.
Similar Recalls
Earlier this month, the NHTSA announced a recall for 114,478 Volkswagen vehicles due to concerns relating to an airbag located on the driver side of the vehicle.
"The driver's side frontal airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling," the NHTSA said in a statement, Reuters reported.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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