Key Highlights:
- KIA India issues a voluntary recall for EV6
- Recall affected 1,138 Units
- Recall announced in response to error in the charging control unit
- Issue discovered in units manufactured between 2022-2023
KIA joins its sister-sibling Hyundai, issuing a recall for its sole EV, EV6 in India. Earlier Hyundai was in news for making a recall for its premium EV Ioniq-5 and now KIA continues the trend with its EV6. Both the Korean OEMs have called off certain units of their most premium electric models in India due to discovering a similar issue, associated with the error in the integrated charging control unit. In this article we will discover, besides facing a similar issue, why only KIA is the hot gossip of the Indian automotive industry currently.
Kia India has voluntarily recalled 1,138 units of the EV6 electric SUV. The recall affects the units manufactured between March 3 2022 and April 14, 2023. As stated earlier, this recall was made in response to an error in the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which may have affected the performance of the 12-volt auxiliary battery on the car.
KIA states the recall in India is part of a global recall issued by Kia earlier this year in various markets. The Kia EV6 is imported to India as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). The issue involves the ICCU, which manages the car’s charging. If the ICCU is damaged, it will prevent the 12-volt auxiliary battery from charging, potentially causing it to discharge completely while driving and gradually reducing the car’s power, eventually leading to a total loss of driving power.
They have also affirmed; that it is proactively updating the software of the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) on the affected EV6 models to ensure a smooth ownership experience. The company did not mention if customers had reported any issues with the auxiliary battery completely discharging.
Furthermore, KIA India added that they have informed the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) about the voluntary recall and will contact affected customers directly. Customers are open to contacting their KIA dealerships to schedule an appointment for the software update.
The Hyundai Ioniq-5 recall, which was made in June, this fiscal year recorded an estimate of 1,744 units being affected due to ICCU issue in India. This recall engages the volumes, rolled out of the manufacturing facility between the duration of 2022-2024.
However, the global recall of both the Korean auto-makers oversaw a figure of 147,000 cars have been affected in the United States (US). This included 48,232 units of the Kia EV6 and 98,878 units of the Hyundai Ioniq-5.
The Verdict:
In our opinion, the global recalls of such mass-market SUVs in the premium electric category raise concerns over the reliability of these well-established multi-national OEMs. At the same time, such call-offs result in a decline of sales figures, allowing the competitors to get a hold in the market catering to the brand's loyal consumer base. Hyundai and KIA both own a large market share across the globe and have a dominant presence in the Indian auto market, yet their EV space is not as renowned as their ICE popularity and such unfavorable conditions act as adding oil to the burning fire.
