The Hyundai Ioniq 6, positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3, has encountered a setback in the form of a safety recall issued in the United States. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some units may have been manufactured with improperly tightened differential bolts, posing a potential risk of the differential locking up while driving.
Sister brand Kia has also recalled eight vehicles due to the same issue, consisting of four units, each of the Niro EV and the EV9. Production dates for the affected vehicles range from November 2022 to December 2023. For the Ioniq 6, production dates span from August 19, 2023, to August 21, 2023.
The recall affects vehicles equipped with the rear motor-gear drive unit assembly part number 44000-18NB0, supplied by Hyundai Transys, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group formed in 2019. Hyundai Motor Company initiated an investigation into the matter on March 5, 2024, following reports of abnormal noises from the rear motor-gear drive unit in Kia vehicles.
Subsequent findings revealed a mis-shipment of MGDU assemblies intended for rework by an unnamed differential gear supplier. Further investigation identified five Ioniq 6 vehicles in the United States and Canada with insufficiently tightened MGDU gear bolts, two of which were sold in the United States.
Although no incidents related to this condition have been reported in the United States thus far, Hyundai Motor America has opted to conduct repairs as a precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of a crash resulting from differential lock-up or loss of drive power. Affected owners will be notified of the recall by June 18, with dealers instructed to replace the motor-gear drive unit with a properly manufactured assembly.
Despite this setback, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 remains a highly anticipated electric sedan, boasting advanced features such as aerodynamic design, 800-volt electrical architecture, and impressive driving range and performance figures. With deliveries scheduled to commence in November 2024, Hyundai aims to reassure customers of its commitment to safety and quality.