Hyundai NZ takes action over Kona risk
Hyundai New Zealand is recalling about 700 Kona electric cars following reports of its lithium batteries catching fire overseas.
A company spokeswoman says owners are being urged to visit their nearest dealership for a software update of the battery management system.
The marque has discovered the system in Kona models built between September 29, 2017, and March 20, 2020, may be defective or have faulty software, which increases the risk of an electrical short circuit.
There have been at least 13 fire incidents with the electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide, including 11 in South Korea. The Hyundai NZ spokeswoman said there have been no reports of similar problems in New Zealand.
Hyundai initially only issued a recall for the Kona EV in South Korea but has now extended it worldwide with the notice affecting more than 77,000 vehicles.
