Hyundai Canada and Battery Damage

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ScubaSteve

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There have now been two videos regarding damage to the batteries on customer Ioniq 5s in
Canada.

Here's the latest from which you can find the original:



It appears two Ioniq 5s have been written off due to damage caused by running over objects on the road. It also appears, to me, that Hyundai designed the protector plate to protect the battery with an inappropriate material to actually protect the battery. This is a design flaw that causes a safety issue for the battery. I've owned many SUVs that I've taken off-road and could hear the skid plates doing there job. But, they all protected the engine and transmission from damage (which is the whole purpose).

Was it the fault of the customers in running over objects on the road that damaged the protector plate? Yes. Was it the fault of Hyundai for designing a protector plate that doesn't actually protect the battery pack? Yes. Hyundai Canada are getting a lot of bad publicity over this. They've lost a lot of potential customers over this too. People that were contemplating buying an Ioniq 5, 6 or EV6 are no longer considering the vehicles.

I understand the costs, I see a design flaw, I do not understand why these vehicles were written off if the costs could have been split 50/50 with Hyundai beefing up the protector plate to prevent similar incidents from causing a write off.
 
A quick search shows pretty much every EV (except for high ground clearance trucks) has similar cases of battery damage from underbody hits totaling the vehicle. It's not just Hyundai. This story is a good reminder of safely driving any EV, but IMHO is not a deal-breaker for purchase.
 
ScubaSteve said:
Was it the fault of the customers in running over objects on the road that damaged the protector plate? Yes. Was it the fault of Hyundai for designing a protector plate that doesn't actually protect the battery pack? Yes. Hyundai Canada are getting a lot of bad publicity over this. They've lost a lot of potential customers over this too. People that were contemplating buying an Ioniq 5, 6 or EV6 are no longer considering the vehicles.
Click to expand...

I noticed the contributing affect after getting quotes on vehicle replacement insurance as I expect mine to be delivered early January. (~double what was in 2020)
Cars (not just EVs) get written off for a lot of reasons these days, not exceptional to Hyundai in particular (as mentioned above).
I will happily purchase my I5 when it arrives as the positive reviews far outnumber the complaints, particularly with owners I have met at charging locations.:)
I agree Hyundai should look into beefing up the "protection plate", additionally, at least become more involved as a corporate when this situation occurs (ie: lower the pack replacement costs as a start) bring in line with Tesla and VW.
 
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On the other Ioniq forum, there's been a discussion about this as well. I think having replacement insurance for this car, and the I6, is a must. I have 5 years for my I6. This is because there is no 2ndary refurbishing and repair facility yet for these cars, unlike the Teslas and many other brands. Our cars are still too new to warrant such a business. But in 5 or 8 years I expect there will be. But if you are in an accident where the battery has to be replaced, regardless of fault, your car will be written off, and you will only get market value at the time. And we all know how quickly resale drops on new cars, today.
 
R P said:
On the other Ioniq forum, there's been a discussion about this as well. I think having replacement insurance for this car, and the I6, is a must. I have 5 years for my I6. This is because there is no 2ndary refurbishing and repair facility yet for these cars, unlike the Teslas and many other brands. Our cars are still too new to warrant such a business. But in 5 or 8 years I expect there will be. But if you are in an accident where the battery has to be replaced, regardless of fault, your car will be written off, and you will only get market value at the time. And we all know how quickly resale drops on new cars, today.
Click to expand...
Yes, you need replacement insurance for sure. The cost of insuring my new Ioniq 6 this year in BC was LESS than the cost of insuring my new Subie Forester way back in 2018. Both had, of course, new car replacement insurance.
 
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Yeah these stories are discouraging for sure BUT when you hit something (rock, steel, other debris) at 100kmh not much is going to protect that battery.
The piece that is under there is just for stream lining and helping to keep under body clean(er)....I do not believe for a minute it is there to "protect" the battery from a high speed debris impact.
Recently a local 2021(iirc) Silverado Diesel pick up truck took out its oil pan, most of the crank shaft and transmission when a big piece of schedule 40 pipe bounced up under the truck. Do not know if the truck was written off but replacing a diesel and the tranny is not a cheap proposition and I suspect it ran into well North of $25,000! The only reason I put any number on it as I have bought a few crate engines in my life and I know how pricey they are.
So any vehicle can take a major hit at high speed and no skid plates likely will not save you!
Cheers
Mike
2022 Hyundai Ioniq5 Ultimate Cyber Gray
2017 Nissan Leaf SV black
Misc other vehicles that still running dinosaur juice!
 
ScubaSteve said:
There have now been two videos regarding damage to the batteries on customer Ioniq 5s in
Canada.

Here's the latest from which you can find the original:



It appears two Ioniq 5s have been written off due to damage caused by running over objects on the road. It also appears, to me, that Hyundai designed the protector plate to protect the battery with an inappropriate material to actually protect the battery. This is a design flaw that causes a safety issue for the battery. I've owned many SUVs that I've taken off-road and could hear the skid plates doing there job. But, they all protected the engine and transmission from damage (which is the whole purpose).

Was it the fault of the customers in running over objects on the road that damaged the protector plate? Yes. Was it the fault of Hyundai for designing a protector plate that doesn't actually protect the battery pack? Yes. Hyundai Canada are getting a lot of bad publicity over this. They've lost a lot of potential customers over this too. People that were contemplating buying an Ioniq 5, 6 or EV6 are no longer considering the vehicles.

I understand the costs, I see a design flaw, I do not understand why these vehicles were written off if the costs could have been split 50/50 with Hyundai beefing up the protector plate to prevent similar incidents from causing a write off.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for all the information. I have since watched the videos and have seen the CTV program on the issue. Unfortunately, my Ioniq 5, does not have replacement insurance (not that I am wanting to replace it!). I loved the car, owned it for two and a half years, and am extremely upset at the loss. The car itself is reporting no issues, but the dealership believes that there ‘might be’ damage to the battery since there are dents in the battery enclosure. There are certainly large tears and gouges in the material which is installed under the battery enclosure. There is also a crack in the steering motor housing (according to the dealer’s service department).
I am located in the central Vancouver Island area.
 
Your Ioniq 5 is completely totalled, and it is a known E-GMP design flaw that the cooling channel is directly above the plastic protection cover. I'm surprised there is no class action lawsuit as of yet.

egmpfailure.webp
 
Shen said:
Thank you for all the information. I have since watched the videos and have seen the CTV program on the issue. Unfortunately, my Ioniq 5, does not have replacement insurance (not that I am wanting to replace it!). I loved the car, owned it for two and a half years, and am extremely upset at the loss. The car itself is reporting no issues, but the dealership believes that there ‘might be’ damage to the battery since there are dents in the battery enclosure. There are certainly large tears and gouges in the material which is installed under the battery enclosure. There is also a crack in the steering motor housing (according to the dealer’s service department).
I am located in the central Vancouver Island area.
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Shen said:
(according to the dealer’s service department).
Click to expand...
Wheaton Hyundai (Nanaimo) by chance?
 
Shen said:
No. Duncan Hyundai. Hi neighbour!




Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Click to expand...
I would advise get a 2nd opinion from Wheaton Hyundai, Nanaimo (Brodie Macpherson-Service Manger)- well worth the time. Give him my reference if you wish.
If there is anything that can be done, he will take the extra incentive to get any available help from HMC (ie: open a case). I have dealt with Wheaton for years now and can vouch for their honest and conscientious service.
The only way HMC will improve on the under battery protection is if they are forced into it by owners feedback - don't rule out involving the press should HMC decide not to help in this case or decide to provide a pack replacement quote which has a value higher than the actual car. The EV should not have to be written off and repairs to the pack should be available at a reasonable cost.
Good luck and sorry for your misfortune.
 
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electriceddy said:
I would advise get a 2nd opinion from Wheaton Hyundai, Nanaimo (Brodie Macpherson-Service Manger)- well worth the time. Give him my reference if you wish.
If there is anything that can be done, he will take the extra incentive to get any available help from HMC (ie: open a case). I have dealt with Wheaton for years now and can vouch for their honest and conscientious service.
The only way HMC will improve on the under battery protection is if they are forced into it by owners feedback - don't rule out involving the press should HMC decide not to help in this case or decide to provide a pack replacement quote which has a value higher than the actual car. The EV should not have to be written off and repairs to the pack should be available at a reasonable cost.
Good luck and sorry for your misfortune.
Click to expand...

Hi electriceddy,
I replied through the mail notification so you probably didn’t get it!
We are going away for a few weeks and when I hear from the adjuster, I will pass on your valuable suggestions.
I would much prefer a repair to a cash settlement as there seems to be little damage according to the car’s self-diagnosis.
I will keep you informed and again I thank you for your help.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
An update, I heard from Hyundai Canada, Steven of Customer Relations, who obviously did not read my message as he advised me to take the car to the dealer, which I had informed him I had already done! My response to him was to ask Hyundai to contribute to the cost of repairs, as they have done for others. I don’t know whether I’ll get a reply, but I’ll let you know.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
After six weeks and an angry letter to Hyundai Canada everything fell into place today. Hyundai Canada lowered the battery replacement cost $30,000. The dealer informed the insurance company that they couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t find more damage, and the insurance company decided to write the vehicle off.
Morals of the story:
1. Buy replacement insurance.
2. Realize that no one knows how to repair, much less figure out what is wrong with these cars.
Thank you for the advice and for listening to my story.
Shen



Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
What was the fine print on the reduction? Did it include a Hold-Harmless Indemnity clause as E-GMP hush money?
 
I have no idea. I just asked the dealer what Hyundai Canada had quoted him for the cost of the battery replacement.
 
That’s rough to hear about the Ioniq 5 battery issues in Canada. EV tech is amazing but still has its bumps, especially with harsh climates taking a toll. I’m still warming up to EVs, but seeing stuff like this makes me hold off.
 
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