Hyundai and Kia Electric Cars: A Small Battery Recall Explained Simply

What’s the Big News?

Hyundai (a car company) has announced a recall for a very small number of electric cars because of a tiny mistake inside their batteries. A recall is when a company asks owners to bring their car back so they can fix a problem for free. The cars affected are some Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV9, and Kia EV6 models. The problem could, in rare cases, cause a fire. But don’t worry—only a handful of cars are involved, and no fires or injuries have happened yet.

Which Cars Are Called Back?

Here are the exact cars that are part of this recall in the US:

• 6 Hyundai IONIQ 5 cars from model years 2023 and 2024
• 1 Kia EV9 from model year 2024
• 7 Kia EV6 cars from model years 2022 to 2024

That is a total of just 14 vehicles!

Why Is the Battery a Problem?

Inside an electric car, there is a big battery made up of smaller boxes called "battery modules." Each module has tiny metal strips called electrodes (think of them like little train tracks for electricity). In these few cars, some electrodes were not lined up straight (we call that misaligned). When that happens, it can cause an internal short circuit—which is like electricity taking a wrong shortcut and making heat. That heat could potentially start a fire.

The faulty battery parts were made by a company called SK On in South Korea during a specific time period. Hyundai started looking into this last month (before the article date) and, on July 9, sent a letter to the US government safety group (NHTSA – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) explaining the issue.

Important Callout: So far, Hyundai says they do NOT know of any crashes, fires, or boo-boos (injuries) in the US related to this. It’s just a precaution!

What Should You Do If You Own One?

If you have one of these cars, here are the steps to stay safe and get it fixed:

1. You can keep driving your car for now—it is not immediately dangerous.
2. When charging, only fill the battery to 80% or less. (Normally you might charge to 100%, but for now, stop at 80%.)
3. Park your car outside and away from buildings (like your house or garage) until it’s repaired. This is just in case something goes wrong.
4. Wait for a letter in the mail (dates below) or call the company if you have questions.
5. Take your car to the closest dealer (a Hyundai dealer for Hyundai cars, and a Kia dealer for Kia models). A technician will replace the whole battery system assembly (that’s the entire big battery unit, or BSA for short).
6. The fix is free! Even if your car’s warranty (the promise that repairs are covered) has ended, you pay $0.

How Will You Be Told About the Recall?

The companies will send official letters:

• Hyundai will mail letters on August 31, 2026. If you need to ask something sooner, call Hyundai customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai’s recall number is 305.
• Kia will mail letters on August 7, 2026. Kia’s phone number is 1-800-333-4542, and their recall number is SC375.
• You can also call the US safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the website NHTSA.gov for more info.

Important Point: The recall is only for US vehicles right now. The battery part came from South Korea, but Hyundai hasn’t recalled cars in other countries yet. Some local news in Korea says to keep an eye out, and we’ll share updates if that changes.

Summary

To wrap it up: A very small number of Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV9, and Kia EV6 electric cars have a battery part that wasn’t built perfectly. It could (but hasn’t) cause a fire. Owners should charge to only 80%, park outside, and soon get a free battery replacement at a dealer. Letters will be sent in August 2026, and no one has been hurt so far. Stay safe and keep an eye on your mailbox!

FAQ

1. Can I still drive my car normally?
Yes, you can still use your vehicle. Just be sure to charge the battery only up to 80% and park it outside away from buildings until the dealer replaces the battery.

2. Will I have to pay for the repair?
No! The battery system assembly will be replaced at no cost to you, even if your car is no longer under the regular new vehicle limited warranty.

3. What exactly is a "misaligned electrode" in kid terms?
Inside the battery, there are tiny metal strips that guide electricity. If they are crooked instead of straight, they might touch where they shouldn’t and cause a spark or heat—that’s what we call a short circuit.

4. I haven’t gotten a letter yet—what should I do?
You can call Hyundai (855-371-9460) or Kia (1-800-333-4542) using the recall numbers above, or check with NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 to see if your car is on the list.

5. Does this affect electric cars in other countries?
Right now, the recall is only for cars in the US. Hyundai hasn’t announced recalls elsewhere, but some reports from Korea suggest owners there should stay alert. We’ll update if more markets are added.