Hyundai is initiating a recall for the Kona Electric following a possible production error in the batteries. The South Korean Ministry of Transport announced this today. A total of 25,564 units were built between September 2017 and March 2020. It is not yet known what consequences this will have for the Dutch market.
The recall, which will begin on October 16, is due to thirteen incidents involving the Kona Electric that involved a fire. According to Hyundai, this may be the result of a production error in the batteries, causing a short circuit. In the recall, Hyundai will update the software and replace the battery where necessary. Techzle is still awaiting a response from Hyundai Netherlands which consequences the recall will have for copies delivered in the Netherlands.
Battery manufacturer LG Chem, which supplies the batteries for the Kona Electric, says the exact cause of the fire is not yet known. An experiment conducted in collaboration with Hyundai would not have resulted in a fire. That is why LG Chem strongly seems to be the cause of a production error. However, the battery manufacturer has promised to further investigate the possible cause of the fires in collaboration with Hyundai.