Hyundai Ioniq 5 Under NHTSA Investigation for Power Loss

The Hyundai Ioniq 5, despite receiving positive reviews from critics and owners, has faced some challenges. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the 2022 Ioniq 5 due to reports of power loss while driving. Over two dozen owners have lodged complaints with the NHTSA, describing a loud pop and a warning message associated with the loss of power. While it has not reached the recall stage yet, the NHTSA's investigation could potentially involve almost 40,000 Ioniq 5 models.

Hyundai has reported to the NHTSA that the issue is related to the Integrated Control Charging Unit (IICU) for the batteries. A current problem could lead to damage to the transistors and result in a loss of 12-volt charging. In response to this concern, Hyundai has announced plans to launch a service campaign in July. The campaign will involve updating the affected vehicles' software and replacing the IICU if necessary. Hyundai has expressed its commitment to working with the NHTSA, maintaining an open and transparent dialogue on the matter.

Hyundai's Ioniq 5 has achieved considerable success, prompting the automaker to shift its attention to the upcoming Ioniq 6. While the Ioniq 6 shares certain engineering elements with its predecessor, it is uncertain whether it will encounter the same power loss problems.

If a recall is necessary, it would be the second recall for the 2022 Ioniq 5. In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 has had ten recalls, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 have had three recalls each, and the Tesla Model Y has had five recalls. It is important to note that many of these recalls for various automakers have addressed relatively minor issues that could be resolved through remote software updates.

By the way, it's worth noting that recently the lease deals for Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 surpassed those of the Tesla Model 3.

Source: NHTSA