U.S. regulators have launched an investigation affecting nearly 40,000 Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric cars after reports of the EVs losing power while on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into the 2022 Ioniq 5 after receiving 30 consumer complaints that described a loss of acceleration, Reuters reported. Drivers reported hearing a loud popping noise and then seeing a warning message on the dashboard before the car’s acceleration began to fail, with some saying the car lost all power.
The NHTSA said that an initial review from Hyundai indicated that a power surge was damaging transistors and preventing the Ioniqs’ 12-volt batteries from recharging, according to the Associated Press. A Hyundai spokesperson said the company was fully cooperating with the NHTSA investigation and launching a service campaign to update the vehicles’ software and replace a component called the Integrated Control Charging Unit if necessary. The NHTSA estimates that the investigation could affect 39,500 Ioniqs on U.S. roads.
In one complaint, a driver reported traveling 75 mph on a highway when “the car became completely unresponsive.” The consumer said there was a semi-truck behind him and one to his right in the slow lane.
“The car stopped accelerating, and I was unable to resume driving,” the driver said. “I was forced to coast to a stop on the side of the highway.”
Two very important lessons learned.
1. Don’t buy crap cars made in Korea.
2. Don’t buy EVs.