Over 240,000 vehicles abruptly recalled over safety issues

(Daily Caller News Foundation) – More than 240,000 vehicles from South Korean carmakers Hyundai, Genesis and Kia were recalled across the U.S. and Canada over various safety issues, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced in two notices.

Some electric vehicles (EVs) were recalled over damaged charging units resulting in a loss of drive power, which “increases the risk of a crash,” one notice announced.

Approximately 145,235 of the potentially affected EVs were made by Hyundai and Genesis, which is owned by the Hyundai Motor Group, The Washington Post reported. More than 62,872 EVs from Kia were also possibly affected by the manufacturing defects, according to the NHTSA.

Most of the affected EVs by Hyundai and Genesis were built for sale in the U.S., while about 34,529 of the automakers’ affected EVs were made to be sold in Canada, according to The Washington Post, citing an email by Ira Gabriel, the senior group manager for corporate and marketing PR at Hyundai.

The recall encompasses the following vehicle models: 2022-2024 models of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, 2023-2025 models of the Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2024 models of the Genesis G80 EV, 2023-2025 models of the Genesis GV60, 2023-2025 models of the Genesis GV70 EV and 2022-2024 models of the Kia EV6.

Kia America informed drivers in an email that affected EVs should be taken to the dealership “right away” if warning chimes sound or active warning lights appear, the outlet reported.

“If the driver ignores the warnings associated with the discharging battery condition and continues to operate the vehicle in a reduced power mode, the vehicle may eventually experience a complete loss of motive power, which increases the risk of a crash,” Kia America added.

Approximately 42,000 models of 2025 Hyundai Tuscon and 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz were also recalled due to a transmission error, the NHTSA announced, according to the outlet. Affected vehicles could shift out of park without engaging the brake pedal, thus allowing the vehicle to roll away and “increasing the risk of a crash.”

Owners of recalled vehicles can expect letters with information in December 2024 and January 2025, the NHTSA said, according to the outlet.