Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 recalled over ‘rollaway’ concerns

The local arms of both Hyundai and Kia have announced recalls for the Ioniq 5 and EV6, respectively, concerning an issue that could result in each car rolling away while in ‘park’.

The issue stems from a problem with the shift-by-wire system and shift control unit that the two vehicles share. The issue can be mended via a software update that can be installed at selected dealerships.

The recall concerns all 2021 and 2022 model-year Ioniq 5s, and all 2022 EV6s, regardless of specification. Both models share the same E-GMP dedicated electric architecture.

“This recall relates to a potential concern with the vehicle’s Shift-by-Wire (“SBW”) system and in particular the vehicle’s Shift Control Unit (“SCU”) and Electronic Parking Pawl Actuator (“EPPA”),” states Hyundai’s recall noticed, published by the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency.

“Hyundai Motor Company have identified, that if a slight voltage fluctuation were to occur within the system, while the vehicle is off and in the Park (P) position, it could interrupt the command signal from the SCU to the EPPA.

“If the command signal were to be interrupted, it could result in momentary disengagement of the EPPA, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway incident, if parked on an incline, with the Electric Brake Parking Brake not engaged.”

A Kia New Zealand spokesperson confirmed to AutoTalk that it has rolled out the same recall locally, too.

“Kia NZ has listed a vehicle safety recall on the NZTA website.  Affected EV6 owners will be notified and asked to bring their vehicle to the dealership to have a simple software update completed,” the spokesperson said.

The recall is part of a global recall rollout that has previously seen approximately 20,000 vehicles recalled in North America. According to reports, four cases of cars rolling unexpectedly while parked have occurred in Korea.

Hyundai New Zealand has confirmed that 550 Ioniq 5s have been impacted by the recall. In Australia, meanwhile, Hyundai has said 578 Ioniq 5s have been implicated by the recall. Kia New Zealand did not indicate how many EV6s were affected by the recall.