Hyundai Kona Electric fire risk recall officially announced

The Hyundai Kona Electric has officially been recalled, with 796 vehicles affected.

Hyundai Australia confirmed earlier this month it had started contacting customers about an issue that had led to battery fires overseas.

“The Lithium-ion battery may have internal damage or the battery management system (BMS) control software may cause an electrical short circuit after charging,” the company says in its recall notice.

“If an electrical short circuit occurs, this could result in a vehicle fire which can increase the risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants, bystanders and/or damage to property.”

If you own a Kona Electric, Hyundai has provided some instructions.

“Affected vehicles need to be parked in an open space and away from flammable materials and structures, that is, not in a garage,” the company says.

“Consumers should only charge their vehicles up to 90 per cent of its battery capacity.”

• A total of 796 vehicles are affected from model years 2018 to 2020.
• A VIN list is attached here.
• The original recall notice is attached here.

Hyundai Australia is instructing owners to take their vehicles to a Hyundai dealership to have the battery diagnosed for a software update or battery cell rectification.

If you own an affected vehicle and have further enquiries, you can contact Hyundai’s Customer Care Centre on 1800 186 306.

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