NHTSA Launches Probe Into LG Batteries Amid Multiple EV Car Recalls

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NHTSA LG Battery EV Recall Investigation Overview:

• Who: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching an investigation into LG Electronics high voltage batteries.
• Why: The batteries have been linked to six separate vehicle recalls with different automakers due to risks of catching fire.
• Where: The recall is nationwide.

Federal safety regulators have launched an investigation into certain LG Electronics high voltage batteries after six recalls were issued by five different automakers that use the batteries. 

On Apr. 1, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it had opened an investigation into LG Electronics high voltage battery failures.

According to the notice, the probe covers more than 138,000 vehicles with batteries made by LG Energy Solution of South Korea.

The investigation comes after General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen have each issued recalls since February 2020 due to internal battery failures that can increase the risk of fires.

Each of the recalled vehicles features one of the LG high voltage batteries, the NHTSA said.

“The purpose of this Equipment Query is to write to LG, and other companies that might have purchased the same or similar equipment from LG, notify them of this defect in any vehicles they manufactured and to ensure thorough safety recalls are conducted where appropriate,” it said.

LG Batteries Prompt Series of Recalls Over Fire Risk 

The NHTSA said the recalls began Feb. 24, 2020, when Mercedes recalled a 2019 Smart Fortwo electric vehicle. The company said the high-voltage battery made by LG had a defect that could ignite inside the battery cells, raising the risk of a fire.

Eight months later, Hyundai recalled some 2019 and 2020 Kona EVs with a similar problem.

In November 2020, General Motors began a string of recalls that involved more than 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs from the 2017-22 model years due to the “simultaneous presence of two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell.” 

In August 2021, the company expanded its Chevy Bolt recall to include all models from 2019 through 2022 that were sold worldwide due to a battery problem that increases the risk of vehicle fires. 

GM warned that all of the vehicles may be equipped with defective batteries. 

The company said it was supplied with batteries that may have had two manufacturing defects, a torn anode tab and folded separator, in the same battery cell. It planned to replace the defective batteries in all Chevrolet Bolt EVs and EUVs, costing the company about $1.8 billion.

Meanwhile, Hyundai issued a second battery recall in March 2021 covering 2019 and 2020 Konas and 2020 Ioniq EVs and said an electrical short inside the batteries could increase the risk of fires while parked, charging or driving.

In February, Stellantis’ Chrysler recalled some 2017 and 2018 Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans with LG batteries after getting a dozen reports of fires. The company was recently hit with a class action lawsuit over the issue.

General Motors is also fighting multiple class action lawsuits over its electric vehicles that can spontaneously catch on fire.

Have you been impacted by any of the EV vehicle recalls? Let us know your experience in the comments!

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