Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp are recalling more than 208,000 electrified vehicles in the United States due to concerns over potential loss of drive power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.
The recall affects 145,235 Hyundai vehicles and 62,872 Kia vehicles, including popular models such as the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 Electrified, Genesis G80 Electrified, and Kia EV6.
The issue stems from the integrated charging control unit, which may become damaged and stop charging the battery, resulting in a loss of drive power. “A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash,” the NHTSA said.
Dealers will inspect the charging unit and replace it along with its fuse, if necessary, to address the problem. Hyundai and Kia stated that no crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires have been reported in connection with the issue in the U.S.
The recall underscores the challenges automakers face as they scale up electric vehicle production. Hyundai recently promoted Jose Munoz, its U.S. chief and global COO, to co-CEO in preparation for potential industry challenges, including policy shifts under a possible second Trump administration.
In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Munoz expressed optimism about the future of electric vehicles, stating, “Hyundai remains committed to EV innovation and growth, regardless of changing incentives or policies.”
The recall follows heightened scrutiny of EV safety and performance as consumer adoption continues to grow. Hyundai and Kia have pledged to address the issue swiftly to maintain confidence in their electrified offerings.
