Hyundai and Kia Recall 14 EVs Due to Fire Risk from Defective Battery Cells
Hyundai and Kia issue recalls for 14 EVs with defective SK On battery cells that could increase the risk of a fire.
Key Takeaways
- Hyundai and Kia have issued recalls for 14 EVs with defective SK On battery cells that could increase the risk of a fire.
- The recalls affect six Hyundai Ioniq 5 models from the 2023 and 2024 model years, and seven Kia EV6s and one Kia EV9 from the 2022-2024 model years.
- Owners are advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures, and to limit charging to 80 percent until the issue is resolved.
- The recalls are due to misaligned battery electrodes that can create an internal short circuit and start a fire.
- Hyundai and Kia will replace the entire high-voltage battery pack with one containing properly aligned battery cells.
What’s Causing the Fire Risk?
The recalls are due to misaligned battery electrodes that can create an internal short circuit and start a fire. According to documents filed with the NHTSA, the supplier, SK On Co, blames a quality deviation for the problem.
This issue is not unique to Hyundai and Kia, as other manufacturers have also experienced similar problems with their EVs. However, the specific cause of the misaligned electrodes is still unknown.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
The recalls affect six Hyundai Ioniq 5 models from the 2023 and 2024 model years, and seven Kia EV6s and one Kia EV9 from the 2022-2024 model years. Owners of these vehicles are advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures, and to limit charging to 80 percent until the issue is resolved.
What Should Owners Do?
Owners of the affected vehicles should park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures, and limit charging to 80 percent until the issue is resolved. Hyundai and Kia will replace the entire high-voltage battery pack with one containing properly aligned battery cells.
It’s also recommended that owners park their vehicles away from other vehicles, even when outdoors and away from structures, as a precaution.
How Will the Issue Be Resolved?
Hyundai and Kia will replace the entire high-voltage battery pack with one containing properly aligned battery cells. The repair procedure is still unknown, but it’s expected to be similar to the one used by Kia.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Affected Hyundai Models | 6 Ioniq 5 models from the 2023 and 2024 model years |
| Affected Kia Models | 7 EV6s and 1 EV9 from the 2022-2024 model years |
| Supplier | SK On Co |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s causing the fire risk in the affected vehicles?
The recalls are due to misaligned battery electrodes that can create an internal short circuit and start a fire.
Q: Which vehicles are affected by the recall?
The recalls affect six Hyundai Ioniq 5 models from the 2023 and 2024 model years, and seven Kia EV6s and one Kia EV9 from the 2022-2024 model years.
Q: What should owners do until the issue is resolved?
Owners should park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures, and limit charging to 80 percent until the issue is resolved.
