Hyundai Recalls 145,000 Hybrids Over Potential Battery Charging Issue

A Hyundai logo is seen at Hyundai of Serramonte in Colma, California, U.S., October 3, 2017. Stephen Lam/Reuters

South Korean automaker Hyundai is recalling over 145,000 hybrid electric vehicles in the United States over a potential battery charging issue, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The recall affects the two IONIQ and three Genesis models—145,235 cars in total, including SUV and hatchback models.

In the recall notice, the U.S. auto safety regulator explained that the vehicles suffer from a potential defect in their Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), a module that manages battery charging and regulates vehicle accessory equipment power.

Under certain conditions, the ICCU’s MOSFET transistor may fail, potentially causing the unit’s fuse to blow. As a result, charging the car battery becomes impossible.

Failure of the ICCU should automatically trigger the car’s “fail-safe” driving mode, which will gradually restrict engine power as the vehicle’s battery runs out.

Vehicle systems such as airbags, braking, and powered steering remain operational during fail-safe driving mode, the NHTSA said.

The vehicles recalled are the following models:

2022-2024 IONIQ 5

2023-2025 IONIQ 6

2023-2025 Genesis GV60

2023-2025 Genesis GV70

2023-2024 Genesis G80

These models were part of a previous joint recall (Hyundai Recall 257 and Genesis Recall 021G) issued in March, which was prompted by a near identical ICCU problem—only that time, over concerns of failing FET transistors.

The problem should be fixed with a simple software update, the recall notice said. If necessary, the ICCU unit and fuse will be replaced free of charge.

Hyundai displays the new Ioniq 6 vehicle at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2022. Mike Blake/Reuters

Owners will be notified via certified mail on Jan. 17, 2025, and instructed to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer or Genesis retailer.

Hyundai’s numbers for this recall are 272 for the IONIQs and 025G for the Genesis models.

Hyundai owners can verify if their vehicle is affected by visiting the NHTSA recall website and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); Owners may also contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460, or Genesis customer service at 1-844-340-9741.

The Korean car manufacturer has faced its fair share of recalls this year.

Just last week, Hyundai recalled nearly 35,000 vehicles due to sunshades that may close unexpectedly certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles.

“The overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed, which can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade,” the NHTSA report said.

The protruding knobs will be replaced free of charge, the recall notice said.

In July, Hyundai recalled over 12,000 vehicles due to a software error in the transmission control unit that could cause cars to roll away while in parking mode.

In the same month, Hyundai issued a recall affecting over 54,000 vehicles due to potential fuel pump failures that could lead to a loss of drive power.

From NTD News