Pleasanton, CA – October 13, 2020 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 6,707 Kona Electric Vehicles that operate using lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. After the battery is fully charged, it may short circuit. The recall includes 2019-2020 Hyundai Kona EVs.

Recall summary  

Li-ion batteries are high-voltage batteries that power Kona SUVs. These batteries are increasingly used in electric vehicles, because they can provide a higher level of voltage and require less maintenance than other types of batteries.

In recalled vehicles, there is a risk of a short circuit, possibly because of  a damaged battery cell or faulty  battery management system (BMS) software.

Risks 

A short circuit in the Li-ion battery creates the risk of a fire.  So far, there have been 10 reports of fires associated with this recall.

A fire in a parked vehicle can injure the vehicle occupants, nearby pedestrians, and property. If your Kona vehicle catches fire, immediately call 911.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will update the BMS software that controls the Li-ion battery. Dealers will also inspect the battery and replace it, if necessary. The repair is free of charge and is expected to  begin on December 11th.

Owners should park the SUV outside and away from structures until the vehicle software is updated. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,700 vehicles are included in this Hyundai Kona recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.