Will Tesla Superchargers become a solution to Kia and Hyundai Electric vehicle woes? @Foxbusiness
Facts
Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 147,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. due to issues with their charging units.
Kia America is recalling 48,232 vehicles, while Hyundai Motor America is recalling 98,878 vehicles.
The recalls are due to damage to the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which can stop charging the 12-Volt battery and result in a loss of drive power.
Affected models include certain EV6 cars (Kia) and IONIQ 5 vehicles (Hyundai) for model years 2022 to 2024, as well as certain IONIQ 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 "Electrified", and Genesis GV80 "Electrified" vehicles manufactured between 2023 and 2024.
Issue
The main issue is the damage to the ICCU, which can cause a loss of drive power in the vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash as warned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Rule
The NHTSA's notices imply that manufacturers must ensure the safety of their vehicles and take corrective action, such as recalls, if a safety issue is identified.
Analysis
The decision to recall the vehicles stems from the potential safety hazard posed by the damaged ICCU. This component is critical for charging the 12-Volt battery, and its malfunction could lead to a sudden loss of drive power. The identification of the affected models and years indicates that the issue may stem from a manufacturing or design flaw specific to those units.
Conclusion
To address the safety concern, Kia and Hyundai have initiated recalls for the affected vehicles. The corrective actions include replacing the ICCU and its fuse as necessary, as well as updating the ICCU software. These services will be provided free of charge to vehicle owners, in compliance with NHTSA's safety regulations and guidelines. This recall aims to mitigate the risk of crashes and ensure the safety of the vehicle occupants by resolving the charging unit issue.
