Hyundai and Kia are set to recall approximately 170,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in Korea, marking the largest recall for the automakers since their EVs were launched. The recall is related to a software problem affecting Hyundai’s IONIQ, Genesis, and Kia EVs, with an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States.
The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced the recall on Thursday, citing defects in twelve models from Hyundai, Kia, Stellantis Korea, and Tesla Korea.
The majority of the recall impacts Hyundai and Kia vehicles, with around 113,916 Hyundai models affected, including the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, Genesis GV60, GV70, and Electrified G80. Kia is recalling 56,016 EV6 models, while 136 Tesla Model 3s will be updated due to pedestrian warning sounds. Additionally, several hundred Jeep Cherokee and Wranglers are also included in the recall.
The software glitch in the Hyundai and Kia EVs affects the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which could lead to power issues with the battery, including charging problems or potential power loss while driving.
Hyundai and Kia plan to issue a software update for the recalled models and will replace the ICCU if necessary. The recall in Korea is scheduled to begin on March 18.
In the United States, the NHTSA opened an investigation on June 8, 2023, following reports of power loss in 2022-2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 models. The 2022 Kia EV6 is also under investigation for similar complaints. Although the 2023 IONIQ 6 is not part of the investigation, several complaints regarding charging issues have been filed with the NHTSA.
Hyundai Motor Group stated, “Hyundai Motor and Kia will take prompt actions to prevent customer inconvenience and will continue to prioritize the safety of our customers and their vehicles.” This announcement comes after Hyundai introduced a new trade-in program in its home market, offering new discounts to encourage drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
