Short dive:
- Hyundai Motor America recalled approximately 145,000 electrified Ioniq and Genesis brand models for charging and power problems, according to a Nov. 18 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announcement. The integrated charging control unit may become damaged and fail to charge the vehicle’s 12-volt accessory battery, resulting in a loss of driving power.
- Recalled models include 2022-2024 Ioniq 5; 2023-2025 Ioniq 6; 2033-2025 Genesis GV70 and GV70 electrified, 2023-2024 G80 and GV80 electrified; and 2023-2025 Genesis GV60 and GV70.
- Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse if necessary, as well as update the unit’s software free of charge. Landlord notification letters should be mailed January 17.
Diving information:
The recalled models were part of a previous recall in March of nearly 99,000 Ioniq and Genesis vehicles for the same ICCU issue, which the company fixed with a previous software update. However, according to the NHTSA report, Hyundai received new reports from June through November of ICCU failures on vehicles that were remedied as part of this recall.
The updated software is designed to prevent overcurrent in the ICCU by reducing voltage spikes after the EV battery has finished charging. According to the NHTSA report, the software patch also improves the operating threshold of the radiator fan and electric water pump to reduce thermal load during charging and driving.
The ICCU charges the vehicle’s 12-volt auxiliary battery and powers low-voltage accessory equipment, such as the vehicle’s electric water pump. The ICCU also supports the bidirectional charging feature of Hyundai’s fully electric vehicles.
If the ICCU fuse fails, the vehicle will enter a safety mode that gradually reduces drive power after approximately 22 to 45 minutes. The vehicle’s safety systems, however, such as steering, brakes and airbags, will remain functional.
Although Hyundai’s North American safety decision-maker ultimately concluded that the estimated 22 to 45 minutes of available driving time in fail-safe mode was reasonably sufficient, the automaker still decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall in March.
Hyundai was first made aware of the issue in October 2022 after inspecting ICCUs returned from warranty claims for Hyundai and Genesis vehicles in various markets. Upon inspection of the returned parts, engineers noted heat damage to low-voltage transistors within the ICCU assemblies of some vehicles.
Hyundai investigated the failures from January to September 2023, which included demonstrations of the defect with members of the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Testing Center.
In the United States, Hyundai is aware of 57 cases of ICCU failures as of March 25, 2024, until November 5, 2024, although there are no reports of accidents or injuries.
A second recall of nearly 63,000 Kia vehicles that use the same ICCU, including the EV6, bringing the total number of recalled vehicles to just over 208,000.