Hyundai Motor Co and its sister company Kia Corp are embarking on a recall of around 170,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in South Korea due to a significant software problem in the charging systems. The transport ministry confirmed the issue on Thursday. The flaw in the integrated charging control unit may impede the vehicles’ ability to charge at low voltage, potentially causing the car to suddenly stop while in operation, posing a safety hazard.
The ministry said the recall will affect 169,332 EVs in the country, including the Ioniq-series and Genesis models. It also covers 61,131 Hyundai Avantes because of a problem with headlight durability. Additionally, Stellantis N.V. opens a new tab that will recall 527 Jeep Cherokees with higher-than-standard reverse lights and 148 of its Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid electric vehicle units with defective high-voltage batteries, the ministry said.
Despite the recalls, the automakers remain bullish about the long-term outlook for EV sales. EV prices have dropped as demand has grown, but manufacturers face supply-chain bottlenecks and price pressure from Tesla Inc, the top seller. The companies have rolled out a series of price cuts this year, which boosted the number of customers signing up for the cars.
In a joint statement, Hyundai and Kia reiterated their unwavering commitment to customer safety. They stated, “Safety is Hyundai/Kia’s top priority, and we make decisions on any recalls or customer protection steps in compliance with regulators worldwide and stringent internal procedures.” While they did not provide a specific timeline for the recalls, they assured that they are working diligently to address the issue.
