Important information for Hyundai owners regarding 2019-2020 Kona EV and 2020 Ioniq EV batteries

Hyundai is conducting a safety recall in the United States and Canada to address a potential condition with the electric vehicle (“EV”) lithium-ion (“Li-ion’) battery that could result in a fire in certain model year 2019-2020 Kona EV, and 2020 Ioniq EV vehicles. Hyundai owners of the affected vehicles have been sent letters with information on this recall. The article below provides information about the recall and Hyundai’s recall implementation plan. We are currently making preparations to implement the safety recall remedy which when available, will be performed at no cost to subject vehicle owners. We will send you another notification when the remedy is available.

 

What is the problem?

The subject vehicles are equipped with battery cells manufactured in the LG Energy Solutions China (Nanjing) plant in which the Anode (Negative) tab can be folded. A folded Anode tab in the battery cell could allow the Lithium plating on the Anode tab to contact the Cathode, resulting in an electrical short. An electrical short internally within battery cell(s) increases the risk of a vehicle fire while parked, charging and/or driving.

 

Hyundai previously issued Recall 196, which provided Hyundai dealers the ability to update software and inspect the lithium-ion battery, and replace it if necessary, for the Kona EV. Hyundai is now amending Recall 196 with Recall 200 to include certain 2020 Ioniq EVs and add additional remedies.

 

What should you do in the interim?

We appreciate your patience. Hyundai is currently making preparations to implement the recall remedy. You will receive a second notification letter when the remedy is available, and the Battery System Assembly will be inspected, and if necessary, replaced. If the Malfunction Indicator Light is illuminated in your vehicle, you should seek service at your Hyundai dealer as soon as possible. Customers should park and charge outside and away from structures until they can reduce their vehicle’s ‘Max charge %’ level to 80% as described below.

 

For updated information regarding this recall, please visit:

www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign200

 

In the meantime, owners are recommended to perform the following:
                     
  • Adjust or confirm your vehicle’s ‘Max charge %’ level to 80%. This can be done manually at home using the infotainment system with these steps
    Warns you of a decelerating or stopped vehicle or a pedestrian detected ahead and will apply braking if necessary.
    • Turn the vehicle ignition ON without starting the engine
    • Depending on radio, select: EV on display screen (7 in) or battery display (10.25 in)
    • Select Energy Information.
    • Select DC Charger.
    • Press the Minus (-) Sign until the charger percentage reaches 80%.
    • Select OK when complete.
    • Perform the same steps once more for the AC Charger.
    • Both the DC and AC charge percentage will now be set and displayed at 80%.
    • See instructional video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk-FrxW5bRM
  • You can also use MyHyundai to remotely change the charge limit settings if your vehicle has an active Bluelink subscription. This can be done with these steps
    Uses radar to keep you a safe distance from the car ahead when traveling below your set cruise control speed.
    • Using MyHyundai.com
      • Navigate to the Bluelink page from the main menu
      • Go to ’Charge Limit Settings,’ check the current settings and click ‘Edit’ to change the settings
      • If adjusting the setting, be sure to click the ‘Save’ button to send the updated charge limit to the vehicle using Bluelink. Please allow up to one minute for Bluelink to update the setting in the vehicle.
    • Using the MyHyundai with Bluelink mobile app
      • Tap on ‘Charge Schedules’ from the app home screen
      • Scroll down to the bottom and find ‘Charge Limit Settings’
      • Check the current settings and tap on each item to change its setting
      • If adjusting the setting, be sure to click the ‘Save’ button to send the updated charge limit to the vehicle using Bluelink. Please allow up to one minute for Bluelink to update the setting in the vehicle.
  • You must go to the dealership, either to verify the above-described adjustment or to reduce the ‘Max battery %’ level to 80%. Once verified at the dealership, you will receive a $200 gift card due to the inconvenience of reduction of range. Please provide the dealer with a valid email address and allow 10 business days for processing.
  • If you cannot adjust or go to the dealership to achieve ‘Max charge %’ level to 80%, park and charge your vehicle outside and/or away from structures until the ‘Max battery %’ level has been reduced to 80%.

 

If you have other questions

If you require further assistance, you may contact the Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-855-371-9460. If you believe that the dealer or Hyundai has failed or is unable to remedy the defect within a reasonable time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hot Line at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

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