Hyundai Issues Electric Vehicle Recall

Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric Cars Catch Fire

Car manufacturer Hyundai has issued its second recall of electric vehicles in less than a year. In October of 2020, 12 fires were reported in Kona Electric cars, causing the company to recall 6,707 vehicles. The fault lies in the batteries. Software updates were performed to fix the problem, but they didn’t work. Cars had to be called back in for a full battery replacement. The Kona Electric is at it again, this time joined by the Ioniq Electric. Both cars have been reportedly catching fire. The recalled cars will likely need full battery replacements, not just software updates.

Battery issues are, once again, the culprit. The faulty batteries seem to be coming from the LG Chem company. LG Chem is a subsidiary of the LG Corporation, well known for its home electronics products. Currently, Chevrolet is also having problems with LG Chem batteries. A massive 51,000 of their Bolt EVs are being recalled for catching flame. Chevrolet says they have fixed the problem with a software update that will begin rolling out in April of 2021. Let’s hope they’re right, but we advise you to keep your eyes on the headlines to see if that changes.

Vehicle Recalls in the U.S.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act in 1966 put recalls under the regulation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Car companies really want to keep a close eye on recalls. For every unreported issue, companies can be fined $22,000 for up to a total of $11,000,000.

For this reason, car manufacturers have created strong self-regulation techniques. Their records are meticulous. Usually, they can pinpoint the exact part causing a problem; exactly which cars were affected; exactly where those cars were produced; and exactly where the parts originated. Tight security like this is likely why we know that the LG Chem batteries are causing problems.

Recalls are required when there is a serious safety issue, such as the fires we’re seeing in these current models. As a point of habit, you should regularly check your car’s make and model on recall websites. Your car will never be recalled for something minor, so staying informed should be a regular safety practice.

Most recall repairs are free, and in the U.S., law demands that they be free for up to 15 years after a car is first sold. Even then, manufacturers often offer free recall repairs for even longer.

If you’re concerned about the safety of your car, or if you’ve been injured by a defective vehicle, schedule a free consultation with us today. Our number is (818) 244-3905, or you can contact us online.