What's going on Hyundai?

[syntaxfx]

Jamas, that's great if the buy-back option is still available to you. However, I think Hyundai is already closing that option to anyone else.

I had asked for a buy-back from Hyundai corporate in May 2021. My car was purchased in Los Angeles, California.

This is the 'Determination' Letter which I got from Hyundai a few days ago:

" A fix for recall 200 is now available. You will be contacted by one of our representatives to make an appointment to have recall 200 completed.
To the extent you disagree with our evaluation, if there is any additional or new information that you would like us to consider, such as photographs, videos, or another repair order, we are willing to reevaluate this matter upon receipt of those materials.
Please note that any remaining terms of your vehicle’s limited warranties as set forth in the Owner’s Handbook and Warranty Information continue to apply."

I am at a point where I am realizing that Hyundai is half-assed in building their cars. I wonder if they even perform quality checks on their products. Everything they do now are retroactive measures to limit their liability on their design flaws. They are also out to cut cost at the expense of their customers.

Let me make an example from recall 200. First, it is a blame game on LG Chem, claiming it is a battery issue on 2019 Kona EVs that catch on fire. This was all due to possible folded anode tabs within the batteries. Their previous recall resorted to software fix to limit battery charge rates. Since they haven't found a solution yet, they are offering buy-backs of the 2019 vehicles.

Fast forward today, it is now only batteries which were manufactured in Nangjing, China that have folded anode tab problems (really?). So, since they have found a 'fix', not all batteries need to be replaced. Not only that. Since they have a 'fix' for recall 200 (which is another software patch) they are closing the window for any buy-backs of the vehicles. The 'fix' never mentions that we can charge to 100% again, dealers are not sure, but we may not have our batteries replaced, because somehow Hyundai has a secret esoteric way of determining if the batteries in our Kona EVs will have the folded anode tab problem.....

Do I really trust Hyundai now? No. Their cars were never reputable for high quality. Their engineering and design speaks for itself. Their customer service is arbitrary; but mine has not been positive. Their communication with their customers are capricious and opaque.

Jumping from a Kona EV with a potential fire hazard that Hyundai is not really open about to an even more expensive Ioniq 5 that leaks coolant is not the best way to spend your hard earned money IMHO.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought Recall 200 was to replace our batteries? I get that there's an interim software "fix" to mitigate risk while we wait for the batteries, but ultimately, I understood that it's a hardware replacement (and I suppose new firmware for the new BMS).
Is that not the case?

 

[KiwiME]

Here's the page for the Aussie recall including a list of affected VINs. Each countries importer is handling their customers in their own way so there's no need to get confusing information about what's going on elsewhere, especially from the US where lemon laws apply in some states and the importer is dancing around that complication.

https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000604

Here's the page for NZ. We don't get a VIN list.

 

[Toolworker]

The article on the coolant leak said "Coolants help absorb excess heat from the engine, whether it is powered by gasoline, diesel, or electricity." But the coolant in EVs is just for the battery pack, right?

 

[ericy]

The article on the coolant leak said "Coolants help absorb excess heat from the engine, whether it is powered by gasoline, diesel, or electricity." But the coolant in EVs is just for the battery pack, right?

No, it also circulates through the motor and inverter. Anywhere that there is the potential for lots of excess heat to be generated.

 

[syntaxfx]

Here's the page for the Aussie recall including a list of affected VINs. Each countries importer is handling their customers in their own way so there's no need to get confusing information about what's going on elsewhere, especially from the US where lemon laws apply in some states and the importer is dancing around that complication.

https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000604

Here's the page for NZ. We don't get a VIN list.

Thanks for the link.
I just couldn't understand why my car didn't show on Hyundai's recall website since they said on the phone that I was on the list.
Anyway, the ACCC recall rec-000604 (Hyundai recall 01D076) was for the BMS update that causes charging to stop at 80% for balancing and again at 90% for the same reason. I had that patch applied in November 2020.
It was early 2021, after a Korean based Kona had the patch and still caught fire that we got the replacement promise.
The email to my fellow Kona driver was sent to him in mid-March this year - which is consistent with the timing of the announcement in late February that they would be doing this.
I've still not seen anything, so I'm assuming that I'll eventually have to take more direct action to get it sorted.
If the recall for NZ you imaged is your last contact, NZ folk may be in the same boat...

 

[KiwiME]

Right, I see. So, there's no official recall in Aus yet. There actually isn't here either but at least we're getting what you might call casual communications from the importer. I'm not going to panic until I have some better evidence that they're walking away, so far they've been on board with the replacement program.

 

[syntaxfx]

Right, I see. So, there's no official recall in Aus yet. There actually isn't here either but at least we're getting what you might call casual communications from the importer. I'm not going to panic until I have some better evidence that they're walking away, so far they've been on board with the replacement program.

What surprises me is that we have laws here about the timeliness of notification. I've just clipped the relevant parts from:
https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/guidance-suppliers-conducting-vehicle-recall
-------
What is the process for a recall?
If you determine a vehicle or vehicle component presents a safety issue, a potential safety issue or does not comply with applicable standards, you should commence voluntary recall action as soon as possible to prevent possible injury, or even death, and rectify non-compliance.
.
.
Notify
You must notify us, on behalf of the Commonwealth Minster, within 2 days of you taking voluntary recall action if the vehicle or component was supplied in Australia. You must notify those you supplied outside of Australia as soon as practicable and give notice to us, on behalf of the Commonwealth Minster, within 10 days after giving the notice. You can do this through our ROVER portal. See our full Recalls Policy for what information to include in the notice.
--------
Based on that, I get the impression that Hyundai could be in breach, because they've issued a few emails to owners, but haven't put anything on the Vehicle Recalls website. It's also possible that they aren't doing a recall of all the affected cars, despite verbal claims that they are.

 

[OzKona]

Syntaxfx,

It's there, mate, but it didn't come up in some searches which I thought would have found it

https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000604

 

[syntaxfx]

Syntaxfx,

It's there, mate, but it didn't come up in some searches which I thought would have found it

https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000604

Hi OzKona,
That's the link KiwiME found. It's the previous recall from November.
Looking at your build date, you wouldn't have been sent the email but it talks about a software update to the BMS.
I'm pretty confident that there's nothing yet.

 

[OzKona]

Hi OzKona,
That's the link KiwiME found. It's the previous recall from November.
Looking at your build date, you wouldn't have been sent the email but it talks about a software update to the BMS.
I'm pretty confident that there's nothing yet.

Ok. I thought that was the one. Like you, I cannot find anything subsequent to that. I wonder if Hyundai considers that recall as continuing - ie that this from the recall webpage is only a temporary fix. It would be nice if they let owners know.

Consumers should only charge their vehicles up to 90% of its battery capacity. Hyundai Motor Company Australia will notify affected owners and invite them to take their vehicles to an authorised Hyundai dealership to have the EV Battery diagnosed for a software update or battery cell rectification.
​

 

[Patoz]

As another Australian Kona owner we very concerned as to the lack of transparency and progress on the battery replacement issue. We were first officially notified by Hyundai of the battery issue in October, 2020. I emailed the following to Hyundai last Friday.
"We need to park our Kona in our garage under our timber house. We charge in the garage and park there for security and protection from beachside salt. We have had all software updates and only charge to 80%. Yet we are still worried, noting from a Transport Evolved video video that 2 Konas have caught fire in spite of software updates. We are pensioners in ill health who do not need this stress." I asked for a call back and stated I was seeking a buyback.
In my opinion under Section 54 of the Australian Consumer Law we are entitled to an exchange for a refund for what are classed as "Major Failures" for several reasons but in particular "the vehicle, part or service is unsafe or creates an unsafe situation".

 

[syntaxfx]

Ok. I thought that was the one. Like you, I cannot find anything subsequent to that. I wonder if Hyundai considers that recall as continuing - ie that this from the recall webpage is only a temporary fix. It would be nice if they let owners know.

Consumers should only charge their vehicles up to 90% of its battery capacity. Hyundai Motor Company Australia will notify affected owners and invite them to take their vehicles to an authorised Hyundai dealership to have the EV Battery diagnosed for a software update or battery cell rectification.
​

I'm assuming it was separate because as soon as I had it done, my car disappeared from the Hyundai recall web page and the message
"Your vehicle is not affected by any active recalls or service campaigns." was displayed.
If I hadn't seen that email from the other driver, I'd have said that they're doing nothing.
"The recall is to address a potential condition with the battery in these vehicles which could result in a fire. The potential condition can be remedied by a battery replacement."

I asked for a call back and stated I was seeking a buyback.
In my opinion under Section 54 of the Australian Consumer Law we are entitled to an exchange for a refund for what are classed as "Major Failures" for several reasons but in particular "the vehicle, part or service is unsafe or creates an unsafe situation".

Please, keep us posted Patoz. I'm leaning towards a letter myself. Of course, with Sydney in lockdown this week, there may be nobody to read it at the North Ryde office...

 

[ehatch]

Looks like the age old advice to not buy the first year of a new model is alive and well.

it shouldn't be due to the first gen.Ioniq,and Kona electric, the Ioniq 5 on a new physical architecture mostly should have its act together on the the EV parts.Coolant, that's not a "new" thing for vehicles in general.Looks like Hyundai's just being sloppy to get their EVs out.Etron, Taycan ,Bolt EV , Tesla has had recalls too,with the latter being the best at resolving them with minimal drama for their customer.

 

[ehatch]

I wish we had something similar here in Canada. We’ve got next to no consumer protections here, unfortunately. This is why we generally get rolled over, especially when compared to our American neighbours.

Funny you mention your Mazda engine exploding! I’m not sure what model that is, but an uncle of mine had his 4 year old Mazda SUV engine explode. Mazda refused to repair - he was on the hook for thousands. They got a lawyer involved and eventually had Mazda cover the cost. Once it was replaced - they sold it immediately. That’s how you lose a customer for generations lol!

@OzKona , a friend had a Mazda Tribute that was unrepairable. After taking it back for yet another repair, they said they were going to call their lawyer,and sue. At the time,he was living at his family's mansion,think Beverly Hills,one look at that address, the dealer refunded his money. It isn' t good will to offer a buy back to help a customer with a potentially catastrophic situation,like the Li-ion fire.

It is long over due for Canada to have a lemon law.CAMVAP , based on its ratings is not a solution as auto OEMs run it.

 

[ehatch]

The Mazda EV is going to be available in NZ, but it's at a poor price/range ratio.

I've mentioned this on a few occasions in several forums but I'll say it again for emphasis - the "fix" GM is applying to the Bolt after all this time appears (IMO) to be nothing more than much the same as our 196 update from last year, monitoring of the traction battery for several hours after charging in hopes of detecting a problem before the car self-combusts. Their batteries have a defect (which I can't imagine how it could not be exactly the same as what we have) yet GM are hoping to minimise the costs by not replacing the defective batteries. We are very fortunate that Hyundai have a conscience, so let's cut them a bit of slack.

GM is replacing batteries , plus offering some customers a buy back in North America. Their software ,and battery reduction scheme isn't solving the potential for a fire either. Hyundai Canada doesn't have much of a conscience if it can't even hand over an inconvenience gift card for reducing range to 80% upwards ,waiting 6 months for some.

Like others who have made the connection,or experienced it,the Kona electric's value has plummeted. For those who want to drive it for a long time,it won't be an issue. For others,it is,and already rejected for a trade with Tesla.

 

[ehatch]

As another Australian Kona owner we very concerned as to the lack of transparency and progress on the battery replacement issue. We were first officially notified by Hyundai of the battery issue in October, 2020. I emailed the following to Hyundai last Friday.
"We need to park our Kona in our garage under our timber house. We charge in the garage and park there for security and protection from beachside salt. We have had all software updates and only charge to 80%. Yet we are still worried, noting from a Transport Evolved video video that 2 Konas have caught fire in spite of software updates. We are pensioners in ill health who do not need this stress." I asked for a call back and stated I was seeking a buyback.
In my opinion under Section 54 of the Australian Consumer Law we are entitled to an exchange for a refund for what are classed as "Major Failures" for several reasons but in particular "the vehicle, part or service is unsafe or creates an unsafe situation".

Push for the refund, you shouldn't be put through such unrest.