Hyundai and Kia Issue Urgent Safety Recall for IONIQ 5 and EV6 Owners

Hyundai and Kia have issued a recall affecting thousands of IONIQ 5 and EV6 electric vehicles due to a potential battery charging issue. Owners are being urged to follow new safety instructions immediately to prevent the risk of fire. The recall targets a defect in the integrated charging control unit that could overheat during fast charging, posing a hazard even when the vehicle is parked and turned off.

The automakers have identified the problem in certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles. While no injuries have been reported, several incidents of smoke and minor thermal damage have been documented. Hyundai and Kia are advising owners to park their EVs outdoors and away from structures until a permanent repair is available.

Dealers will update the vehicle’s software and, if necessary, replace the charging unit at no cost.

For now, owners should check their vehicle identification number on the NHTSA or automaker recall websites to see if their car is affected. Until the fix is applied, the companies recommend limiting DC fast charging and using Level 1 or Level 2 home charging instead. The recall underscores the growing pains of EV technology but shows the industry’s commitment to safety.

Stay tuned for updates as repair parts become available.