WASHINGTON — The nation’s prime auto security regulator has opened an investigation into the 2022 Kia EV6 after reviews alleging lack of motive energy.
NHTSA’s Workplace of Defects Investigation stated it obtained 11 complaints about the issue from U.S. automobile homeowners, lots of whom reported a “loud pop noise adopted by a warning displayed of their dashboard” and instantly skilled a decreased or whole lack of motive energy.
Investigators stated they performed a number of interviews with automobile homeowners confirming “a variety of lack of energy and ranging time intervals between the warning message and lack of energy,” in line with a federal doc detailing the security probe.
The company stated there’s a “robust correlation” between the lack of motive energy and failure of the Built-in Management Charging Unit that powers the automobile batteries.
NHTSA has opened a preliminary analysis to evaluate the scope and severity of the potential security defect, which might have an effect on almost 20,000 Kia EV6 electrical compact crossovers.
A Kia spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The 2022 EV6 is the primary devoted EV that Kia has rolled out as a part of its effort to debut eight EVs by 2029. This yr by means of June, Kia has bought 8,328 of the electrical compact crossovers, in line with Automotive Information knowledge.
In a single criticism submitted to NHTSA, a driver in Lengthy Seaside, Calif., reported listening to a loud pop from the rear passenger facet of the automobile adopted by a warning mild to examine the automobile’s charging system.
“All energy to the automobile was subsequently misplaced, immobilizing the automobile,” the complainant stated of the April 29 incident. “Vendor service division stated ICCU board must be changed however is on nationwide backorder. Automobile has been immobilized since.”
Kia’s Korean sibling firm Hyundai Motor Co. is coping with an identical subject within the U.S.
Final month, NHTSA opened an investigation into greater than 39,500 Hyundai Ioniq 5 EVs after receiving 30 complaints alleging lack of motive energy. Most of the complaints additionally reported a “loud pop noise” adopted by a warning displayed within the dashboard and decreased or whole lack of motive energy.
Hyundai spokesperson Michael Stewart stated in June that the automaker is “absolutely cooperating” with the investigation.
“To deal with the priority, Hyundai is launching a service marketing campaign in July that can replace the affected automobile’s software program and change the ICCU if obligatory,” Stewart stated in a press release. “We worth our cooperative relationship with NHTSA and have engaged in frequent, open and clear dialogue with the company on this subject.”
Most NHTSA investigations begin as preliminary evaluations, through which company engineers request info from the producer, together with knowledge on complaints, accidents and guarantee claims. The producer can also current its view relating to the alleged defect and will subject a recall.
After the analysis, NHTSA will both shut the investigation or transfer into the following part. If a safety-related defect exists, in line with NHTSA, the company might ship a “recall request” letter to the producer.