Hyundai Recalling South Korean Kona EVs Over Fire Risk
Hyundai Motor Co. plans to issue a voluntary recall on Korean-market Kona Electrics as it addresses potential manufacturing defects it’s worried might result in short-circuiting battery cells. Roughly a dozen incidents of fire have been linked to the model, including isolated events in Australia and Canada, and the automaker is particularly keen to address them. Asia has come down hard on battery fires, following a string of high profile examples where battery electric vehicles burnt themselves to the ground.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has already issued a release confirming Hyundai’s plan to recall 25,564 Kona EVs manufactured between September 2017 and March 2020. Those units will be inspected for defects before being issued obligatory software updates and a battery replacement, according to the government agency.
Meanwhile, Hyundai has called the recall “a proactive response to a suspected defective production of high-voltage batteries used in the vehicles, which may have contributed to the reported fires,” noting that it’s going to do everything within its power to get to the bottom of this. Based on what we’ve seen from most automakers of late, expect little more than a software update unless a vehicle inspection shows the car is in desperate need of a new battery — and only after Hyundai can tell us what’s actually causing the problem.
Nothing has been said regarding the possibility of recall outside of South Korea. But it seems plausible that the company will have to talk things over with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the U.S. to determine if any steps need to be taken. It will at least be running an internal investigation to see what actions need to be taken in other markets.
Korea’s recall kicks off on October 16th and it’s kind of a shame to see a smudge like this on the EV’s record. We’re hoping Hyundai gets this sorted out quickly because the Kona Electric is among the better options for those seeking battery-based transportation. That makes it invaluable for the company’s ultimate goal of selling 1 million battery-driven electric vehicles (with help from Kia) in 2025. But it’s desirable range, practical nature, and fun-loving personality won’t be helping it drive EV sales when everyone is worried about it catching fire.
[Images: Hyundai Motor Group]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Being good at ICE doesn't automatically mean you will ace EV's.
Maybe that's what you get for naming a vehicle after a region with live volcanoes. I hear their next EV will be named Vesuvius.