Hyundai Electric Vehicles Recalled Worldwide for $900M Over Fire Risk

Hyundai Motor Co is recalling 82,000 electric vehicles globally due to fire risks related to the battery in the first mass battery-cell replacement conducted by a major electric-vehicle maker. 

Most of the latest recall applies to Hyundai’s best-selling electric car, the Kona EV, which was first recalled in October 2020 for a software upgrade after a series of fires, and is now being recalled again after an upgraded vehicle caught fire in January.

South Korean authorities have launched a probe into whether the first recall had been adequate, Reuters reported.

There have been approximately 15 cases of fires involving the Kona EV – 11 in South Korea, two in Canada and one each in Finland and Austria. 

As well as 76,000 Kona models built between 2018 and 2020 being recalled, some Ioniq models and electric buses built between November 2017 and March 2020 that use battery cells made by LG Chem’s factory in China are also included.

It is the costliest electric vehicle recall the world has seen so far, Financial Times reported, carrying a $900 million price tag for the South Korean carmaker. Hyundai has been criticized before over the adequacy of previous voluntary recalls, according to Financial Times.

Hyundai and LG Energy Solution are in talks about how to divide the cost of the battery replacement, with the companies reportedly at odds over the cause of the electrical fires.

LG Energy Solution said in a statement to Reuters that Hyundai Motor had misapplied LG’s suggestion for fast-charging logic in Hyundai’s battery management system and that the battery cell should not be seen as the direct cause of the fire hazards.

Owners of the affected models are being advised to limit battery charging to 90% of total capacity until their cell can be replaced and are being told to contact their dealership for further details on the recall.

Hyundai was in the headlines last week thanks to a potential class action settlement. Plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit had alleged certain models of its vehicles had a defect that could cause engine seizure and stalling. Hyundai denies these allegations and have not been found guilty in court, but agreed to a settlement.

Meanwhile, General Motors is facing a proposed class action lawsuit from December, surrounding claims that an alleged vehicle defect can cause the battery in the Chevrolet Bolt to suddenly burst into flames and cause serious injuries.

Do you feel safe driving an electric vehicle? Let us know in the comments below.

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