Hyundai recall 82,000 Electric Cars (Kona EV pictured)
Hyundai is recalling 82,000 electric cars worldwide – mainly the Hyundai Kona Electric – over fire risk at a cost of £635,000,000.
We reported back in December that Hyundai was planning to stop building the Kona Electric in South Korea after a spate of fires and related recalls, although it was perhaps also that the Kona EV doesn’t sit with the new Ioniq range – now properly on the way with the debut of the new Ioniq 5.
But having had to recall the Kona Electric to fix battery management after a spate of fires, Hyundai is now back to square one after one of the updated cars caught fire, and is now embarking on a £635,000,000 recall to replace the battery packs of 82,000 EVs built between 2018 and 2020.
An interim investigation found the battery fires may have been caused by faulty battery cells – cells made by LG – so there will doubtless be an argy-bargy between Hyundai and LG over who pays the lion’s share of the whopping replacement bill, with LG already claiming Hyundai mis-applied their suggestions for fast-charging logic.
The recall is for 75,680 Kona EVs and 5,716 Ioniq EV (plus some 300-odd electric buses) and until the replacement has been done Hyundai are asking owners not to charge above 90 per cent.
Henryv says
The recall is for vehicles manufactured from May 11, 2018 to March 13 2020.
Nothing has been said about cars/batteries manufactured after that date??
Are they safe??
Cars UK says
As far as we can work out, the March 2020 date coincides with Kona Electric production from the Czech Republic instead of South Korea, and the switch to SK batteries for that production instead of the LG ones used before then.
Henryv says
Thank you!
Henryv says
Just to muddy the water a bit, or not.
First three characters on your car VIN number give the manufacturing country:-
KMH = Ulsan, South Korea
TMA = Nošovice, Czech Republic
My vin is KMH and yet my battery is dated 28.4.20?
Henryv says
The kind gentleman who gave me the info’ also thought that the Czech Republic only made left hand drive??
Cars UK says
We’ll ask Hyundai. That might help clear it up.
Cars UK says
It looks like there is still some confusion about this outside Korea. Hyundai told us:
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As you know, Hyundai Motor Company has decided to voluntarily recall certain Kona Electric, Ioniq EV, and Elec City vehicles in Korea for battery system assembly replacements. The issue is being investigated thoroughly by the company, including establishing the situation in relation to the models sold with a UK specification. Any affected customers will be notified as soon as possible.
I will update you as soon as I know more.
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For now, we’d suggest ensuring you don’t charge over 90% just to be on the safe side until Hyundai UK updates.
Henryv says
Smoke and Mirrors.
If they selected a cut off of 13.3.20, they must have a reason??!!
Roger says
Does this also apply to the Kia eNiro?
Cars UK says
Nothing from Kia on this yet, but the Kia e-Niro doesn’t use the LG batteries as far as we know so probably not.