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Hyundai New Zealand is recalling its Kona electric car after multiple reports that its lithium batteries caught fire abroad.
On its website, the South Korean automaker said that the global safety recall affected all of its Kona electric vehicles manufactured between September 29, 2017 and March 20, 2020.
A Hyundai NZ spokeswoman said the recall affected some 700 customers in New Zealand, who would be contacted to visit their nearest dealership for a battery management system software update.
He said the battery system of the affected electric vehicles could be faulty and contain faulty software that could increase the risk of an electrical short circuit.
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There have been at least 13 incidents around the world of electric vehicles bursting into flames, including the United States, Canada, China and South Korea.
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The global safety recall affected all of its Kona electric vehicles manufactured between September 29, 2017 and March 20, 2020.
None had been reported in New Zealand, the spokeswoman said.
In Canada, a Kona car that caught fire and exploded in a garage in July last year blew off the garage door and roof. Inside electric vehicles reported.
While Hyundai Australia did not comment on the matter publicly, the company sent a message to a concerned customer asking him to park the vehicle from flammable structures and not park it in a garage. The driven reported.
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There have been at least 13 incidents around the world of electric vehicles bursting into flames, including in the United States, Canada, China and South Korea.
In 2018, the Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency (NZTA) announced two recalls related to 2018 Hyundai Kona models, one on airbag issues and another on concerns with the brakes and air conditioning.
A Hyundai NZ spokeswoman said those earlier concerns had been resolved.
NZTA has been contacted for comment.
DAMIEN O’CARROLL / FOOTAGE SUPPLIED
Top plug-in car: Hyundai Kona Electric
