The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V127000·Announced 2021-03-01

Hyundai Recalls Kona and Ioniq Electric Vehicles for Battery Fire Risk

Hyundai is recalling 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles because the lithium-ion battery may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

NHTSA safety advisory

Park this vehicle outside

NHTSA advises parking it away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair is done — the risk exists even when the vehicle is switched off.

This is the agency’s own advisory, not our assessment. Contact the manufacturer or a dealer, and see the official NHTSA notice for the current guidance.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (lithium-ion battery short-circuit) that increases the risk of a fire, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

Hyundai Motor America is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The recall addresses a defect in the electrical propulsion system where the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.

An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the interim action is complete.

Hyundai will notify owners that they have the option to perform a battery update through the vehicle's infotainment system or request a dealer to provide the update. Once parts are available, dealers will inspect the Battery System Assembly (BSA) and replace it if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk and interim action with a letter mailed April 9, 2021, and final owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2021.

The recalled product

Product
HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC, IONIQ ELECTRIC
Brand
HYUNDAI
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Category
Vehicle — Electric Vehicle Battery
Hazard
Affected units
4,696

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • KONA ELECTRIC
  • IONIQ ELECTRIC

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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