Key Takeaways
- Hyundai has issued a safety recall for a limited number of 2023‑2024 IONIQ 5, 2024 Kia EV9, and 2022‑2024 Kia EV6 vehicles due to a battery‑cell defect that could cause an internal short circuit and fire.
- The recall covers only 14 vehicles in the United States: six IONIQ 5s, one EV9, and seven EV6s.
- The defect stems from misaligned electrodes in battery modules supplied by SK On during a specific production window; no crashes, fires, injuries, or related incidents have been reported in the U.S. to date.
- Hyundai advises owners to keep the battery charge below 80 % when charging and to park outdoors, away from structures, until the repair is completed.
- Repairs involve a free replacement of the entire battery system assembly (BSA) at any Hyundai or Kia dealership, regardless of warranty status.
- Owner notification letters will be mailed by Hyundai on August 31, 2026 and by Kia on August 7, 2026; in the meantime, customers can contact Hyundai’s customer‑service line (855‑371‑9460, recall #305) or Kia’s line (1‑800‑333‑4542, recall #SC375) for questions.
- The NHTSA hotline (1‑888‑327‑4236) and NHTSA.gov provide additional recall information; the recall currently applies only to U.S.‑market vehicles, though Hyundai notes that similar concerns could exist elsewhere and will monitor developments.
Hyundai has announced a recall affecting a very small subset of its electric‑vehicle lineup after discovering a battery‑cell defect that could lead to an internal short circuit and, in the worst case, a fire. The recall involves only six 2023‑2024 model‑year Hyundai IONIQ 5 crossovers, a single 2024 Kia EV9 SUV, and seven 2022‑2024 Kia EV6 models—fourteen vehicles in total across the United States.
The issue was identified after Hyundai launched an internal investigation following a supplier‑quality concern. The investigation traced the problem to battery modules manufactured by SK On, Hyundai’s Korean battery‑cell supplier, during a limited production period. In those modules, the electrodes within individual cells were found to be slightly misaligned. This misalignment can cause the anode and cathode to come into contact under certain conditions, creating an internal short circuit that generates heat. If the heat builds unchecked, it could ignite the electrolyte and start a fire within the battery pack.
To date, Hyundai reports that no U.S. incidents—such as crashes, fires, injuries, or property damage—have been linked to this defect. Nevertheless, the company is taking a precautionary approach to eliminate any risk. Owners of the affected vehicles are advised to continue driving them but to follow two specific safety measures while awaiting repair: keep the state‑of‑charge below 80 % when plugging in, and park the vehicle outdoors and away from buildings or other structures. These steps reduce the amount of energy stored in the battery and increase the chance that any thermal event would dissipate safely away from occupied spaces.
The remedy is straightforward: a trained technician at any Hyundai or Kia dealership will replace the entire battery system assembly (BSA) with a new, non‑defective unit. The replacement is performed free of charge, and Hyundai has confirmed that the service will be honored irrespective of whether the vehicle remains under its original new‑vehicle limited warranty.
Notification timelines have been set for both brands. Hyundai will begin mailing owner‑notification letters on August 31, 2026, while Kia will start its outreach on August 7, 2026. Until those letters arrive, customers with questions or concerns can reach Hyundai’s dedicated customer‑service line at 855‑371‑9460 (recall number 305) or Kia’s line at 1‑800‑333‑4542 (recall number SC375). For general recall information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hotline 1‑888‑327‑4236 and the NHTSA.gov website remain available resources.
Although the recall is limited to vehicles sold in the United States, the problematic battery cells were sourced from SK On’s South Korean production lines. Hyundai has not issued comparable recalls in other markets at this time, but the company acknowledges that isolated reports outside the U.S. warrant attention. Hyundai states it will continue to monitor global field data and will provide updates if the situation evolves.
In summary, while the recall touches only a handful of EVs, it underscores the importance of rigorous supply‑chain oversight and proactive safety communications in the rapidly expanding electric‑vehicle sector. Owners of the identified IONIQ 5, EV9, and EV6 models should follow the interim charging and parking guidance, schedule the free BSA replacement at their earliest convenience, and stay alert for the official notification letters arriving later this summer.
For the most current details, owners are encouraged to verify their vehicle’s VIN against the NHTSA recall database or contact their dealer directly.